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Orde quits NI police for new role Orde quits NI police for new role
(40 minutes later)
Northern Ireland's Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is to leave his post and become president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo).Northern Ireland's Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is to leave his post and become president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo).
Sir Hugh, who has been in charge of the PSNI for seven years, narrowly missed out on becoming Metropolitan Police Commissioner earlier this year.Sir Hugh, who has been in charge of the PSNI for seven years, narrowly missed out on becoming Metropolitan Police Commissioner earlier this year.
Acpo's 342 members voted on Wednesday for their choice of president.Acpo's 342 members voted on Wednesday for their choice of president.
"To have been elected as the next President of Acpo is a great honour," Sir Hugh said. Sir Hugh said his time in Northern Ireland had been "a rough and challenging ride".
"I believe that UK policing is strongest when it is professional, operationally independent, and based on trust and accountability. He said he was leaving the Police Service of Northern Ireland in a healthy state.
"I've been here for nearly seven years - I said I'd come for five. I've got mixed emotions about going - this is a great organisation to lead and it's done outstandingly well.
Mark Simpson, Ireland correspondent Whoever replaces Sir Hugh Orde as head of the police in Northern Ireland will have to be a quick learner.Mark Simpson, Ireland correspondent Whoever replaces Sir Hugh Orde as head of the police in Northern Ireland will have to be a quick learner.
The security threat is at its highest level for a decade, and it is likely that the next chief constable will be a senior officer parachuted in from England.The security threat is at its highest level for a decade, and it is likely that the next chief constable will be a senior officer parachuted in from England.
Mind you, behind the scenes, in policing and political circles, some tentative preparations may already been made.
It has been known for some time in Belfast that Surrey-born Sir Hugh was looking to get back to London.It has been known for some time in Belfast that Surrey-born Sir Hugh was looking to get back to London.
Only this week, he spoke in a BBC Radio Ulster interview about his hopes of becoming president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo).Only this week, he spoke in a BBC Radio Ulster interview about his hopes of becoming president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo).
In the same interview, he was asked to choose his favourite music. The first song he chose was Bruce Springsteen's 'Born to run'. href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/8001730.stm"> Orde will be hard act to follow href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/8001830.stm"> Reaction to Orde's departure In the same interview, he was asked to choose his favourite music. The first song he chose was Bruce Springsteen's 'Born to run'. href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/8001730.stm">Orde will be hard act to follow href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/8001830.stm">Reaction to Orde's departure
"Above all, our decisions should be tested against the reason for which we all joined policing; the protection of the public." "The time has come (to leave) - fresh eyes look at things differently and we need to move in a slightly different direction."
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said Sir Hugh had an outstanding record of public service.
"I look forward to working with him as we embed the reforms to policing announced in last year's Green Paper, from further cutting police red tape to building public confidence and tackling local issues that matter to people across the country," she said.
Sir Ken Jones, current Acpo President, said Sir Hugh "brings a wealth of experience and leadership" to the association.Sir Ken Jones, current Acpo President, said Sir Hugh "brings a wealth of experience and leadership" to the association.
"Increasingly the service and its leadership are being drawn into political controversies and it will fall to Sir Hugh to steer us on a sure path through the forthcoming period, both up to and beyond the next general election," he said."Increasingly the service and its leadership are being drawn into political controversies and it will fall to Sir Hugh to steer us on a sure path through the forthcoming period, both up to and beyond the next general election," he said.
The chairman of Northern Ireland's Policing Board, Sir Desmond Rea, congratulated Sir Hugh but added that he regretted losing him.The chairman of Northern Ireland's Policing Board, Sir Desmond Rea, congratulated Sir Hugh but added that he regretted losing him.
"Whilst I deeply regret losing Sir Hugh Orde, I am nevertheless delighted that he has been appointed President of Acpo; and on behalf of the Board I congratulate him on his success," he said."Whilst I deeply regret losing Sir Hugh Orde, I am nevertheless delighted that he has been appointed President of Acpo; and on behalf of the Board I congratulate him on his success," he said.
The chief constable will assume his new role in the Autumn, and the process for appointing a successor will now begin, Sir Desmond added.The chief constable will assume his new role in the Autumn, and the process for appointing a successor will now begin, Sir Desmond added.
WHAT IS ACPO? National body comprising chief police officers in England, Wales and Northern IrelandAlmost 350 members, representing 44 constabulariesProvides a bridge between local focus and national concernsAcpo works with Home Office to set prioritiesMembers develop strategies, such as for knife crimeGuidance underpins day-to-day to operations
Northern Ireland Policing Board members Dolores Kelly and Ian Paisley junior agreed that Sir Hugh will be a hard act to follow.Northern Ireland Policing Board members Dolores Kelly and Ian Paisley junior agreed that Sir Hugh will be a hard act to follow.
"His successor will still have a tough job, but it will be a different job," she said."His successor will still have a tough job, but it will be a different job," she said.
"Our highly accountable police service is now vastly different from the force that Hugh Orde took over. In fact, it is difficult to imagine a more difficult transition in policing anywhere and he managed it successfully.""Our highly accountable police service is now vastly different from the force that Hugh Orde took over. In fact, it is difficult to imagine a more difficult transition in policing anywhere and he managed it successfully."
She said the board would be looking for a candidate who is committed to Northern Ireland for at least five years.She said the board would be looking for a candidate who is committed to Northern Ireland for at least five years.
Mr Paisley said Sir Hugh was a staunch defender of his rank and file officers.Mr Paisley said Sir Hugh was a staunch defender of his rank and file officers.
"I think he led from the front and he confounded the sceptics and the critics because he has been a very highly regarded police officer locally," he said."I think he led from the front and he confounded the sceptics and the critics because he has been a very highly regarded police officer locally," he said.