This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7325663.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Top police officer to step down | |
(19 minutes later) | |
One of Northern Ireland's top police officers is stepping down from the PSNI to become chief executive of Co-Operation Ireland. | |
Assistant chief constable Peter Sheridan, who is the PSNI's most senior Catholic officer, joined the police over 30 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. | 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. | "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." | "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 | 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. | 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. | 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. |