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7 September 2007
Sir Ronnie Flanagan’s appointment as HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary has been extended, the Home Office announced today.
Sir Ronnie Flanagan has been HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary since 1 February 2005. His one year extension means that he will remain in post until 31 January 2009.
Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, said
“I am pleased that Sir Ronnie Flanagan has agreed to stay on in this important role for a further year. His expertise and knowledge are invaluable in enabling Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary to continue to deliver an efficient, independent and rigorous inspection programme.
“This extension will ensure continuity in this crucial area during the year ahead as the police service continues its challenging reform programme and Sir Ronnie takes forward his independent review of policing.”
Notes to Editors
- The primary role of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) is to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of policing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland through inspection of police organisations and functions to ensure agreed standards are achieved and maintained; good practice is spread; and performance is improved. HMIC also provides advice and support to the tripartite partners (the Home Secretary, police authorities and chief constables) and plays an important role in the development of future leaders in the police service.
- HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary is a Royal appointment made under section 54(1) of the Police Act 1996. HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary’s primary remit is to lead HMIC in fulfilling its statutory responsibilities.
- The extension of Sir Ronnie Flanagan’s appointment as HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary was made in accordance with the principles of the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice. All appointments are made on merit.
- The previous Home Secretary, Dr John Reid, appointed Sir Ronnie Flanagan in his role as the Home Secretary’s senior professional advisor on policing to lead an independent review of the police service. The review is underway currently and is looking at four key areas – how to reduce bureaucracy and promote better business processes in policing; how to sustain and mainstream the excellent progress that has been made on neighbourhood policing; how to ensure that the public are driving local policing priorities and improve local involvement and accountability; and how the service can manage its resources effectively to deliver on the tough challenges of the coming years. An interim report is due shortly.
Background of Sir Ronnie Flanagan GBE, QPM
Sir Ronnie Flanagan was born in 1949. He joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1970 and served as a Constable and Sergeant in Belfast, spending time in uniformed and CID disciplines. On promotion to Inspector in 1976, he was transferred to Londonderry and later Strabane where he experienced Border Policing; he also served in the Personnel Department. In 1982 he was appointed Detective Inspector in Special Branch and the following year, on promotion to Chief Inspector, was responsible for the selection, training and operational control of specialist uniformed anti-terrorist units. He was transferred to Armagh in 1987, on promotion to Detective Superintendent.
Following his promotion to Chief Superintendent in 1990 he was appointed to the Police Staff College at Bramshill as Director of the Intermediate Command Course and subsequently of the Senior Command Course, which is designed to prepare selected officers for Chief Officer rank.
Returning to Northern Ireland in 1992 as Assistant Chief Constable, he headed Operations Department; in April 1993 he was appointed as Operational Commander for the Belfast region; and in August 1994 was appointed Head of Special Branch. In March 1995 he became Acting Deputy Chief Constable, Support Services and formally appointed Deputy Chief Constable in February 1996, taking over Operations in April of that year. During 1996 he conducted a fundamental review of the structure and organisation of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. He was appointed Chief Constable in November 1996.
Sir Ronnie retired from the Police Service of Northern Ireland in 2002 and was appointed Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary for London and the East Region in April of that year. He became Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary in February 2005.
Sir Ronnie has travelled extensively in Europe and the United States to study policing methods. He has attended all the major courses, including the Senior Command Course at the Police Staff College at Bramshill. Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in addition to a Master of Arts degree in Administrative and Legal Studies, he is also a graduate of the FBI Academy.
Sir Ronnie was awarded the OBE in 1996, knighted in 1998 and appointed GBE in 2002.
