Crime & Law

Ruane withdraws from recruitment panel for deputy PSNI chief

Sinn Féin Policing Board member claims process ‘may have been compromised’

Caitríona Ruane has called for a fresh recruitment process to select the next deputy chief constable of the PSNI. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Caitríona Ruane has called for a fresh recruitment process to select the next deputy chief constable of the PSNI. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Mon Sept 15 2014 - 12:36

Sinn Féin Policing Board member Caitríona Ruane has withdrawn from the panel to recruit a new PSNI deputy chief constable.

Calling for a fresh recruitment process, Ms Ruane said she believed the process “may have been compromised”.

“In light of the need for absolute transparency in all public appointments and to protect the Policing Board’s integrity I believe the best course of action would be to begin a new recruitment process,” she said.

The last deputy chief constable Judith Gillespie retired in March. The current chief constable Matt Baggott is also due to retire in the coming months.