McQuillan moves on as Policing Board shortlists candidates

The Policing Board have met this morning to consider the shortlist of names in the running for the position of deputy chief constable of the PSNI – a shortlist which does not now hold the name of the current acting deputy, Alan McQuillan.

Security Minister Jane Kennedy announced at lunchtime that Mr McQuillan, Northern Ireland's second most senior officer, has accepted the appointment of assistant director of the Criminal Assets Recovery Agency. It is understood that he will take up his new post in the New Year and the agency will become operational in February.

The appointment was made by Jane Earl, the recently appointed Director-Designate of the new UK-wide Agency.

Ms Kennedy said: "The Assets Recovery Agency will have a key role in depriving criminals of the profits of their crimes and in cutting off the financial life blood of criminal organisations. I am delighted that the Northern Ireland branch will be headed by a person with such a distinguished record as a police officer. I am confident that he will use his wide experience to ensure that the Agency very quickly makes a real difference in Northern Ireland.

Following Mr McQuillan's decision, the Policing Board panel shortlisted all five of the remaining applicants for the next stage of the selection process, which is an assessment centre. Of the five candidates, two come from within the PSNI – Assistant Chief Constables Sam Kincaid and Stephen White – and three are senior officers in English constabularies.

Candidates will be asked to display a range of key competences developed through their experience of operational and community policing, policy, planning and resource management at Chief Officer level and to "have displayed the capacity for leadership and vision essential to the demands of the post".

The assessment centre process is due to commence week commencing January 6 and the interviews week commencing January 27.

Board Chairman, Professor Desmond Rea, said: "This is a key post for the PSNI and the successful applicant will play an essential role in the future policing of Northern Ireland.

“The appointment of a new Deputy Chief Constable will be on the basis of merit in respect of the candidate’s capability to undertake successfully the duties of the post set against a number of pre-agreed key criteria.

The salary for Deputy Chief Constable is in accordance with nationally agreed pay scales and ranges from £100,987 to £108,535.

(GMcG)