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Top Catholic officer to step down | Top Catholic officer to step down |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Northern Ireland's most senior Catholic police officer is stepping down from the PSNI to become chief executive of Co-operation Ireland. | |
Peter Sheridan began his career as a cadet with the RUC 32 years ago and rose to the rank of assistant chief constable with the PSNI five years ago. | |
He was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours last year. | He was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours last year. |
Mr Sheridan was considered a possible successor to Sir Hugh Orde as chief constable. | Mr Sheridan was considered a possible successor to Sir Hugh Orde as chief constable. |
He said he looked forward to a time when 50/50 recruitment of Catholics and Protestants was no longer needed in the PSNI. | |
"Until such times that the police service is reflective of society out there, it will be necessary," he said. | |
"As soon as that requirement is reached, there will be no further need for it. People should be selected because of their skills and because they want to be a police officer." | |
Better relations | |
He is leaving the PSNI to work at Co-operation Ireland, which aims to promote better relations between people on both sides of the border. | |
Mr Sheridan spent much of his service in the north-west, where he rose through the ranks from Constable to Assistant Chief Constable responsible for Rural Region. | |
In February 2006, he assumed responsibility for the Crime Operations Department, made up of officers investigating serious crime, organised crime and intelligence. | In February 2006, he assumed responsibility for the Crime Operations Department, made up of officers investigating serious crime, organised crime and intelligence. |
In 1999, Mr Sheridan graduated from the FBI Academy. | In 1999, Mr Sheridan graduated from the FBI Academy. |