This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-northern-ireland-17616976

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Dr Michael Maguire to be new Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Dr Michael Maguire to be new Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman
(40 minutes later)
Dr Michael Maguire has been confirmed as Northern Ireland's new Police Ombudsman.Dr Michael Maguire has been confirmed as Northern Ireland's new Police Ombudsman.
Al Hutchinson stepped down from the role in January after criticism of the performance of his office, which holds the police service to account. Al Hutchinson stepped down from the role in January after criticism of the performance of his office, which handles complaints about the police.
Dr Maguire is currently the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.Dr Maguire is currently the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.
Mr Hutchinson became the second police ombudsman for Northern Ireland when he succeeded Nuala O'Loan in 2007.Mr Hutchinson became the second police ombudsman for Northern Ireland when he succeeded Nuala O'Loan in 2007.
In 2011, three independent reports were highly critical of the work being carried out by the ombudsman's office.In 2011, three independent reports were highly critical of the work being carried out by the ombudsman's office.
As Criminal Justice Inspector, Dr Michael Maguire published a report last year that was highly critical of how the Office of the Police Ombudsman carried out its work.As Criminal Justice Inspector, Dr Michael Maguire published a report last year that was highly critical of how the Office of the Police Ombudsman carried out its work.
His report said the former Ombudsman, Al Hutchinson, had lost the confidence of senior members of his staff.His report said the former Ombudsman, Al Hutchinson, had lost the confidence of senior members of his staff.
It also said a number of reports produced by the office had been re-written to reduce criticism of the police, and that investigations into historical events should be suspended.It also said a number of reports produced by the office had been re-written to reduce criticism of the police, and that investigations into historical events should be suspended.
Having spent months identifying the problems within the office, Dr Maguire is now being asked to deliver the changes he said were necessary.Having spent months identifying the problems within the office, Dr Maguire is now being asked to deliver the changes he said were necessary.
One of these by Criminal Justice Inspection found that the independence of the office had been compromised.One of these by Criminal Justice Inspection found that the independence of the office had been compromised.
After the report's publication last September, Mr Hutchinson announced he would be stepping down earlier than planned.After the report's publication last September, Mr Hutchinson announced he would be stepping down earlier than planned.
Last month, Justice Minister David Ford began a public consultation on reforms to the Police Ombudsman's Office, covering proposed changes to its structure, role and powers.Last month, Justice Minister David Ford began a public consultation on reforms to the Police Ombudsman's Office, covering proposed changes to its structure, role and powers.
Mr Ford said the consultation outlined the potential for "significant changes" to the office's law and governance.Mr Ford said the consultation outlined the potential for "significant changes" to the office's law and governance.
Dr Maguire has worked at Criminal Justice Inspection since 2008.Dr Maguire has worked at Criminal Justice Inspection since 2008.
Before that, he was a partner in a consulting firm, and he has been involved in strategic and organisational reviews across the public sector.Before that, he was a partner in a consulting firm, and he has been involved in strategic and organisational reviews across the public sector.
He was chairman of the Institute of Directors in Northern Ireland between 2004 and 2006.He was chairman of the Institute of Directors in Northern Ireland between 2004 and 2006.
Sinn Fein policing spokesman Gerry Kelly said he wished Dr Maguire well "in what will be undoubtedly be a difficult and challenging endeavour".
"What Sinn Fein expect from a new ombudsman is to return the credibility and reputation to this important office," he said.
SDLP Policing Board member Conall McDevitt said: "He has considerable challenges ahead of him, the biggest of which will be restoring public confidence in his office and establishing credibility, especially around legacy cases."
Ulster Unionist Policing Board member Ross Hussey said: "Dr Maguire brings a wealth of experience to his new post, and I wish him well in his efforts to restore public confidence in the ombudsman's office following the criticism which has been directed at it in recent times."