The Northern Ireland Policing Board has announced that Jon Boutcher is being lined up as interim chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The two parties are expected to shortly enter an agreement to that effect, with the appointment being subject to due diligence and ministerial approval. The post became vacant in September when previous incumbent Simon Byrne resigned following a sequence of PR crises. Boutcher has a wealth of policing experience, having served as Chief of Bedfordshire Police, among other roles.
Of particular relevance to NI is the investigation Boutcher has been leading into the Army’s most senior agent within the IRA, known as Stakeknife. The findings of Operation Kenova are expected to be published in the coming months. Boutcher had previously applied to replace Cressida Dick as Metropolitan Police Commissioner but was unsuccessful.
Byrne resigned after two junior officers won a legal challenge against PSNI. A High Court judge ruled the officers were unlawfully disciplined for a breach of parliamentary privilege when they arrested a man after a Parade Commission decision. The PSNI mistakenly uploaded a file covering the identities of all officers to a website. Rank-and-file officers have passed a vote of no confidence in some senior PSNI personnel. The Police Federation for Northern Ireland has described the police force as being “in dire need of clear and strong leadership.”
Applications for a permanent chief constable are currently being processed. The successful candidate would receive a package of almost £220,000
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