A former top Canadian police officer is to take over monitoring police reforms in Northern Ireland, it emerged today.
Mr Al Hutchinson will replace current oversight commissioner Mr Tom Constantine in December and run the office for an extra two years. The two men have worked closely in the team which has scrutinised efforts to implement the Patten blueprint for overhauling the old Royal Ulster Constabulary.
Mr Constantine, the US police chief who has made regular trips to Belfast since he started work in 2000, has agreed to extend his commitment until the end of the year.
But Northern Secretary Mr Paul Murphy has now also confirmed the Oversight Commissioner's office will get a two year extension, with Mr Hutchinson, the current chief of staff, stepping up to the top job.
PA