NIPB confirms Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton to retire later this year

In a statement, the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB) thanked Mr Hamilton for his “dedicated service and for the significant contribution he has made to policing and leading police reform in Northern Ireland”.

He leaves policing after 30 years of “distinguished service to the community”.

The NIPB added: “Board members, having been informed by legal advice (in respect of which privilege is not waived), are assured that the deputy chief constable’s retirement is in line with contractual entitlements, and that there is no disparity between our approach to this retirement and that taken in relation to other officers who have retired from the service, regardless of rank.

“The Board respects the confidentiality of personal information in relation to the deputy chief constable, as it does with all of its employees.”

The NIPB said it has now begun the process to appoint a new deputy chief constable.

Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI), Liam Kelly, said: “We note this announcement by the NIPB.

“Clearly, we had our differences over the handling of the Ormeau Rd controversy, but I think it important to recognise Mr Hamilton’s 30 years of policing service and his significant contribution to our communities.

“On behalf of the PFNI, I wish him and his family well for the future.”

In September last year, the PFNI had passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Hamilton for his handling of a high-profile incident on Belfast’s Ormeau Road that led to two officers being disciplined.

That came after a High Court judge ruled that the disciplinary process against the two junior officers had been unlawful.