RECONSTITUTION OF THE POLICING BOARD
Established on 4th November 2001, the Policing Board’s first term of office ended on 31st March 2006 and the second on 7th May 2007.
All Board Members are appointed by the Secretary of State.
Ten Political Members - who are all Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly - were appointed under d'Hondt principles. These Members are::
- Rt Hon David Simpson MP MLA, Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA, Peter Weir MLA and Tom Buchanan MLA nominated by the DUP,
- Alex Maskey MLA, Martina Anderson MLA and Daithí McKay MLA
- Basil McCrea MLA and Leslie Cree MLA nominated by the UUP.
- Dolores Kelly MLA nominated by the SDLP.
The following Policing Board Members were appointed as Independent Members following open competition:
Barry Gilligan (Vice Chairman), Rosaleen Moore, Mary McKee, Gearóid Ó hEara, Brian Rea MBE JP, Professor Sir Desmond Rea, Trevor Ringland, David Rose and Suneil Sharma.
How are Independent Members of the Policing Board chosen?
The Policing Board is made up of 19 members, currently 9 of whom are Independent Members who were appointed through open competition by the then Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Peter Hain MP.
Policing Board Members' allowances and terms and conditions of appointment are set by the NorthernIreland Office. Appointments are for a term of up to four years with the possibility of a second term.
In applying for the Policing Board, candidates are requested to display an ability to develop and maintain co-operative working relationships, contribute to and commit to decisions, display an aptitude for strategic and analytical thinking and high standards of accountability.
In making appointments to the Policing Board, Part II of Schedule 1 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 requires that the Secretary of State to exercise his powers of appointment to ensure as far as is practicable that membership of the Policing Board is representative of the community in Northern Ireland.