FIVE APPLICANTS are to be interviewed by the policing board for the position of PSNI chief constable next month.
The board said seven applications were received to replace Sir Hugh Orde who leaves the post in September. Two were withdrawn.
The names of those shortlisted for interview have not been released by the board but they were reported yesterday.
Four of them head police forces in England while the fifth applicant heads the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.
Jim Gamble is a former Northern Ireland police officer who has served in the anti-terrorist unit in Belfast and has also served in various other high profile posts.
Other shortlisted applicants are: Bernard Hogan-Howe, chief constable of Merseyside police; Jon Stoddart, chief constable of Durham police; Paul West, chief constable of West Mercia police; and Matt Baggott, chief constable of Leicestershire police.
Chairman of the board Barry Gilligan said: “The board is very pleased with the level of interest shown and the high calibre of the candidates for the chief constable’s post and looks forward to interviews in August.”
The interview panel comprises Mr Gilligan accompanied by vice-chairman Brian Rea, Assembly members Leslie Cree (UUP), Dolores Kelly (SDLP), Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin), and Ian Paisley jnr (DUP), along with independent member Rosaleen Moore.
The post pays a salary of just under £184,000 (€215,000) and allowances.
Sir Hugh, who has been chief constable since 2002, is leaving to head the Association of Chief Police Officers in Britain.
He had earlier been unsuccessful in his application to lead London’s metropolitan police.