EX-PSNI OFFICER WILL HELP HARRIS ON GARDA REFORMS Counter terror expert is brought in to oversee high-level job cuts
A FORMER top-ranked PSNI officer is to be brought in to work with his one-time colleague Drew Harris to lead the Garda change programmes. situations. One of the key areas for the appointee will be the proposed strategy of offering a severance package to senior officers.
“He will be asked to produce a plan on how An Garda Siochana will cut back on Assistant Commissioner, Chief Superintendent and Superintendent ranks.
“He will come up with the strategy for the targeted redundancy package.
“The Strategic Transformation Office is going to be a difficult post, it will involve coming up with a lot of strategies that may be met with disquiet among the ranks.” It is understood Mr Farr has worked all his service in the RUC and PSNI. A source, who knows the former officer, said: “He is hugely well known in the PSNI as a manager who was very straight and down the line.
“He has retired in recent times and is now involved in contract work.”
The Department of Justice, which gave the green light to the appointment, was asked about the contract but refused to comment.
A Garda spokesman said: “An Garda Siochana is seeking to engage a range of external expertise to support change management, project managements and specific projects.
“Given the time frames for the delivery of projects under the action plan for the delivery of ‘a Policing Service for the Future’, a contractor has been appointed to the Strategic Transformation Office approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.”
The appointment comes weeks after questions were raised about Drew Harris using armed PSNI officers to transport him to Garda Headquarters following an incident with a bollard.
The Commissioner would not be drawn on the incident but said: “All protocols that are in place for crossborder movement are adhered to.
“This matter relates to my own security and the security of my family and I don’t wish to comment any further.” other skill sets for major