The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has announced the appointment of Jon Boutcher as the interim Chief Constable. Mr. Boutcher, the former police chief of Bedfordshire in Britain, will assume this role until a permanent appointment is made. The position became vacant after Chief Constable Simon Byrne’s resignation last month, prompted by a series of controversies, notably the major PSNI data breach.
Jon Boutcher is already a well-known figure in Northern Ireland, having conducted a high-profile investigation into the activities of Stakeknife, the Army’s top agent during the Troubles. The Policing Board believes that this interim appointment will bring much-needed stability to the leadership of the force.
Applications for the permanent Chief Constable position will be accepted until Monday. This crucial appointment is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of law enforcement in Northern Ireland.