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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 handles complaints about the police. | 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". | 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. | "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." | 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." | 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." |