Successor to NI police chief sought at almost £200,000 salary

Northern Ireland’s next chief constable will receive a salary of almost £200,000 (€241,000) a year.

Matt Baggott is retiring this autumn and the Policing Board has advertised for his successor for the next five years.

Board chairwoman Anne Connolly said the successful candidate would head the PSNI amid the most challenging policing environment in the UK or Ireland.

She said: “We are looking for an individual with considerable operational experience and sound business skills, capable of delivering continuous improvement in the context of a reducing budget.

“The board’s vision is to ensure the delivery of an effective, efficient, impartial, representative and accountable policing service which secures the confidence of the whole community.

"The successful applicant will have the leadership, professional and people skills to lead officers and staff in ensuring Northern Ireland becomes safer and stronger."

Mr Baggott, who was appointed in 2009, informed the board in January that he would not be seeking a contract extension when his term of employment ends in September.

The board has formally rejected a controversial proposal from Stormont's Minister for Justice David Ford to alter the recruitment criteria.

A majority of members voted to maintain the current framework for selecting the top officer. Mr Ford faced a storm of criticism from political rivals when he announced his intention to remove the mandatory requirement for Mr Baggott’s successor to have served at least two years at senior rank outside Northern Ireland.

The board said the next chief constable would receive a salary of £195,483 per year plus benefits, in accordance with UK-wide agreed pay levels.

Press Association