Policing Board Chair Brendan Mullan has paid the following tribute to Professor Sir Desmond Rea following his death this week.
Sir Desmond was the first Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, serving in the position from 4 November 2001 -31 May 2009, after which he continued on the Board as an Independent Member until 23 May 2011. He was knighted in 2004 for his services to policing.
Speaking about Sir Desmond’s contributions, Mr Mullan said:
On behalf of the members and staff of the Northern Ireland Policing Board I would wish to extend my very sincere condolences to Sir Desmond’s family and friends on his passing.
Sir Desmond was one of the founding fathers of the new policing arrangements in Northern Ireland, progressing and embedding a programme of reform and policing change that was unparalleled in modern policing.
Working closely with his then Vice Chair Denis Bradley and new Board Members, Sir Desmond articulated a vision for the new Police Service which exemplified his clear understanding of the importance of a new start for policing after the Patten Review as a fundamental pillar of the developing peace process.
He brought leadership, vision, and unwavering drive and determination as he guided the newly established Policing Board with strength, integrity, and purpose through those fledgling years, carefully and thoughtfully navigating many difficult and contentious issues.
Not only was Sir Desmond a respected leader, he was also a mentor, supporter, and source of encouragement to many and to this day his legacy continues to live on through the firm foundations and principles established for policing and policing oversight in Northern Ireland.
As a distinguished academic, after stepping down from the Board, Sir Desmond also co-authored a number of publications which captured the challenges faced in delivering that new beginning to policing, and this now provides us all with an authorative record for the future.
We thank and pay tribute to Sir Desmond for his service.”
Professor Sir Desmond Rea: March 2006
If there is belief, willingness, commitment, drive and enthusiasm as there has been, real change happens.
The Life & Times of the First Northern Ireland Policing Board | Northern Ireland Policing Board
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