THE CHIEF CONSTABLE of the PSNI is to retire after five years in the job.

Matt Baggott announced his decision today but said he will not leave the role until later this year.

He has served in policing across the UK for 37 years, leading the PSNI for the past five.

The force confirmed that he will not be seeking an extension to his contract which ends this coming September. He was entitled to ask for another two years.

It has been a real privilege to lead the PSNI through the immense changes of the past few years,” he said in a statement. “I am deeply proud of the courage and commitment of my colleagues and the enormous progress they have made on behalf of everyone.”

In his remaining months, he said his priority will be to “ensure the PSNI has the resources to deal effectively with the many challenges ahead and that our very personal, professional and protective service goes from strength to strength”.
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