Police commanders in the North today backed the appointment of their new Chief Constable Hugh Orde.
Even though Unionists on the policing board refused to endorse the choice, the body which represents the top tier insisted Mr Orde had their full support.
The group includes Mr Alan McQuillan and Mr Chris Albiston, two assistant Chief Constables who were also interviewed for the £130,000 sterling a year post.
Mr Orde (43) deputy assistant commissioner with the Metropolitan police, is heading the inquiry into allegations of collusion involving loyalist paramilitaries, RUC Special Branch and British military intelligence in the murder of Belfast solicitor Mr Pat Finucane.
The former Ulster Unionist MP Mr John Taylor, now Lord Kilclooney, party colleague Mr Fred Cobain and Mr Sammy Wilson, a member of the Democratic Unionist Party at the Stormont Assembly, who also sits on the board, objected to the appointment, claiming none of the three candidates were up to the job.
But a statement issued today by Mr McQuillan, secretary of the Chief Officers Staff Association, said: "As senior commanders in the police service of Northern Ireland we welcome warmly the appointment of Hugh Order as our new Chief Constable.
"We are confident that Hugh will make a great Chief Constable in the police service of Northern Ireland and look forward to working with him in taking our service forward and improving our service to the entire community in Northern Ireland."