Top Issue 1-2024

30 January 2014

Resize: A A A Print

Matt Baggott retires – New PSNI Chief Constable must be a champion for change

Matt Baggott is challenged by relatives of the McGurk's Bar bombing

Matt Baggott did take the PSNI forward but he didn’t get to grips with the residual culture and influence of the political policing ‘dark side’ within the PSNI


MUCH of the media commentary on Matt Baggott’s decision to resign as PSNI Chief Constable has missed the real issue that arises.

Huge work has been done to advance real change at senior and local command levels of the PSNI, within the Policing Board and also through local policing partnerships. But the fact is the historic experience of ‘policing’ for many in this state was bad, and today still falls short of what policing in a post-conflict society should look like.

Matt Baggott did make a contribution in taking the PSNI forward but he lost the confidence of republicans and nationalists.

He didn’t get to grips with the residual culture and influence of the political policing ‘dark side’ within the PSNI.

That failing contributed directly to the practice of ‘retire and rehire’, weakening the firewall between democratic policing and negative role of British Intelligence agencies, crystalised in the report exposing the Historic Enquiries Team’s activities; and his bad judgement on, for example, the Ombudsman’s McGurk’s Bar report.

Policing in the North is wrapped up with the past. It was inseparable from the context of political conflict here. However, a new beginning to policing is essential for the future. Those tasked with leadership in policing carry a huge responsibility to demonstrate independence and effectiveness.

The PSNI has shown that it can serve as an agent of change. There is more work to be done within it and all policing structures to maximise community confidence, and democratic accountability.

Who becomes the new Chief Constable is secondary to their commitment to continued reform.

The next PSNI Chief Constable must be a courageous champion for change.

Follow us on Facebook

An Phoblacht on Twitter

An Phoblacht Podcast

An Phoblacht podcast advert2

Uncomfortable Conversations 

uncomfortable Conversations book2

An initiative for dialogue 

for reconciliation 

— — — — — — —

Contributions from key figures in the churches, academia and wider civic society as well as senior republican figures

GUE-NGL Latest Edition ad

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland