Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PSNI head signed off on 2014 Adams arrest
chief and a senior official at the Justice Department. Chairwoman of the Policing Authority Josephine Feehily said the decision process carried out by the Public Appointments Service, was “comprehensive and thorough, as befits the significance of the position”.
She added: “The authority – having reviewed the process and considered his experience, qualifications and expertise – was very satisfied to nominate Drew Harris for appointment by the Government.
“We look forward to getting to know him and to working with him in achieving our shared objective of ensuring a modern, professional Garda service which continues to enjoy the trust of the Irish people”.
Garda union spokesman John O’keeffe said the group representing rank-and-file gardai were happy it was a police officer who got the job.
He added: “The organisation of An Garda Siochana is a large ship that has been listless for some time now without a permanent captain.
“Government must now provide Mr Harris and his team with all the financial support to ensure these critical changes are made without delay.
“Then, and only then, will we truly have an organisation that enjoys as much public trust and support as does its frontline officers.”
Harris’ father Alwyn, who was an RUC superintendent, was murdered by the IRA in a bomb attack in 1989.
His mother survived the atrocity in which semtex was placed under the car the couple were travelling in.
DUBLIN YESTERDAY
DREW Harris signed off the arrest of former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams in 2014.
The detention was in connection with the abduction and murder of mother-of-10 Jean Mcconville in December 1972, when Mr Harris was head of the PSNI Crime Operations.
At the time Sinn Fein heavily criticised the decision to arrest their leader during an election campaign.
Mr Harris, the PSNI’S assistant chief constable, was announced as Ireland’s top cop yesterday.
He will lead a force undergoing reform but praised for complex investigations like that which led to the imprisonment of former Anglo Irish Bank chief David Drumm.
However, it faced recent criticism from a judge for its handling of an interview which led to the halting of the prosecution of a man over the killing of prison officer David Black.
Mr Harris’ predecessor as commissioner, Noirin O’sullivan, stood down amid mounting pressure over the slow rate of reform in the force. The new recruit is in his 50s and has 34 years of policing experience, principally in Northern Ireland, including 12 years in senior leadership roles.
He was appointed to the rank of assistant chief constable responsible for crime operations in the PSNI in 2006 and has served as deputy chief constable since 2014.
In addition to managing multiple organised and serious crime investigations, he was responsible for all intelligence gathering, operations and analytical support for the PSNI and worked closely with An Garda Siochana in this role.
He also has significant experience in delivering organisational change, managing budgets and personnel management.
Mr Harris holds an MA in Criminology from the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University and a BA in Politics and Economics from the Open University.
He also holds qualifications in Leadership and Public Policy for Senior Law Enforcement Officers (FBI National Executive Institute), Company Direction and Police Studies.