Two of Northern Ireland's most senior police officers could be out of the running to become the next chief constable of the PSNI, it emerged this evening.
With advertisements for the post currently held by Sir Ronnie Flanagan set to be published, it is understood the criteria will block assistant chief constables ACC Stephen White and ACC Sam Kincaid.
Members of the Policing Board in Belfast, which has responsibility for recruiting Sir Ronnie’s successor, have agreed specifications for the post.
Sources on the board confirmed candidates must have completed at least two years service at ACC level and undertaken the senior command course at Bramshill in Hampshire.
Mr White and Mr Kincaid, who have helped drive forward change within the province's force during its transition from the Royal Ulster Constabulary to Police Service of Northern Ireland, were seen as serious contenders for the stg£130,000-a-year job.
But having only been appointed ACCs in April last year, they do not meet length of service requirements. It effectively leaves just one Northern Ireland man in contention, Belfast ACC Alan McQuillan.
Another two senior PSNI officers among the favourites, Deputy Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn and Chris Albiston, who has just returned from secondment in Kosovo, are both English-born.
Mr White has spearheaded the force's change management project. As ACC for south region, which includes south Armagh, he has been at the forefront of efforts to crack down on dissident republican activity.
Mr Kincaid, the assistant chief constable for north region, has also played a prominent role in new policing schemes, heading up the force's human rights programme.
Criteria for the chief constable's post was agreed by the Policing Board's corporate policy committee at a meeting last week.
Sources on the committee insisted the two-year service requirement was needed to ensure only the most experienced candidates apply.
"If you've only been an ACC for a year you've barely got your feet under the table," one member said.
Mr Kincaid was today unavailable for comment, but Mr White was dismayed to learn he could be denied the chance to run for the top job.
"I have not seen the criteria but if it's true I'm surprised and somewhat disappointed," he said.
Specifications are set to be ratified when all 19-members of the scrutinising body come together for a full board meeting in Belfast next week.
But with unionist, nationalist and independent representatives all sitting on the corporate policy committee, it is highly unlikely the decision will be challenged.
After the board meets on Wednesday, advertisements for the chief constable's job will be placed in newspapers and police magazines as part of a recruitment drive which could take up to six months.
Sir Ronnie's departure comes after he clashed publicly with Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman, Ms Nuala O'Loan, over her scathing criticisms of his leadership in the Omagh bomb investigation.
He was due to leave today, but agreed to postpone his retirement for a month following a split decision by the board.
Mr Cramphorn, who is also in the running to become police chief with Greater Manchester Constabulary, has agreed to act up until a permanent successor is appointed.
Other possible contenders include Mr Brian Bell, ACC in Cleveland, and Mr Alan Green, the assistant chief constable for Manchester.
Mr Paul Leighton, ACC for Northumbria and Ms Maria Wallis, the Sussex deputy chief constable, have also been linked to the post.
PA