Sir Ronnie Flanagan has agreed to stay on as Northern Ireland chief constable until the end of March. He was due to resign next week in order to take up the position of Inspector of Constabulary, the highest rank in the British police force.
However, following a request from the Policing Board, Sir Ronnie agreed to remain in the position for another month. He said he "believed it was in the best interest of the police service of Northern Ireland at this time".
The Policing Board’s request for Sir Ronnie to stay on proved controversial after the decision to make the request was decided by the casting vote of the chairman after the board was split at nine votes each.
Sir Ronnie said he was "honoured to continue to lead what he has always known is the best police service in the world".
The SDLP had demanded that Sir Ronnie step down at the end of this month as planned following Police Ombudsman Mrs Nuala O'Loan's scathing criticisms of his leadership in a report into the Omagh bomb investigation.
However, unionists members of the board pushed for the Chief Constable to stay on.
"His bacon was saved by the casting vote of the chairman of the policing board," said Mr Alex Attwood, one of the SDLP representatives on the policing board.
But the west Belfast MLA insisted there would be heavy restrictions on the Chief Constable's role while he serves out his final weeks.
"If people think that four weeks is a sufficient figleaf for him they can draw that conclusion," he added.
The DUP welcomed the decision. "This will allow a smooth and seamless transition of power," Mr Ian Paisley Jnr said.
Deputy Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn will step into the role at the end of next month until a permanent successor is found.
A recruitment drive could take up to six months to complete. Advertisements for the vacancy are set to be placed in national newspapers and police magazines across Britain.
Additional reporting PA