Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Top cop legal move on snub
Martin action over PSNI job process
THE outgoing acting deputy chief constable of the PSNI has taken legal advice after he was not shortlisted for the permanent role.
Stephen Martin said the processes “need to be rigorously fair, they need to be lawful”.
He told the BBC: “If that were not the case I would certainly be shocked and grossly disappointed and would feel considerably let down.
“I have taken legal advice and the board are aware of that now.”
Last night, the recommendation of the appointment panel was unanimously ratified by the Policing Board.
Justice Minister Naomi Long will give the final go-ahead to fill the post.
Mr Martin was appointed acting deputy chief constable in August 2018. He has 32 years of police service. The senior officer was interviewed for the chief constable role but lost out to Simon Byrne.
A Policing Board statement said: “The recruitment process for the deputy chief constable position is based on the principles of merit, fairness and openness. “It incorporates independent scrutiny at all stages to provide additional probity and transparency.
“As the process is ongoing the board will not be making any further comment.” Earlier this week, Ulster Unionist board member Alan Chambers withdrew from the process. In a statement, he said: “I am writing to formally state my concerns at some aspects of the recruitment process which was run last week for the post of deputy chief constable of the Police Ser vice of Northern Ireland.”