Jacqui Durkin appointed Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman
Jacqui Durkin has been appointed as the new Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, with her departure as Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice prompting the appointment of James Corrigan as Acting Chief Inspector.
Ms Durkin formally took up the role on 26 June, succeeding Marie Anderson, who retired in December 2025 after serving as Ombudsman since 2019.
The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is responsible for independently investigating complaints about the conduct of officers and the actions of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said Ms Durkin brought “extensive senior leadership experience and a strong track record in oversight, governance and public service” to the post.
Justice Minister Naomi Long also welcomed the appointment, saying: “Jacqui brings a wealth of experience to the role of Police Ombudsman and I wish her every success during her tenure.
“The inspection programme overseen by the Chief Inspector enables us to develop a more effective and efficient criminal justice system for the people of Northern Ireland and Jacqui will bring a track record of leadership and achievement to her new role.”
Ms Durkin served as Chief Inspector of the Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) for six years, having previously held senior roles within the Northern Ireland Court Service and the Department of Education.
Following her appointment, Deputy Chief Inspector, Chief Executive and Accounting Officer James Corrigan has been appointed Acting Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice by the Justice Minister.
Mr Corrigan, who has worked for CJINI since joining as an inspector in 2004 and has served as Deputy Chief Inspector since 2013, will lead the inspectorate for up to 12 months while a permanent appointment is made.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Corrigan said: “I am happy to accept the position of Acting Chief Inspector for Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland. I look forward to working in partnership to secure improvements to the effectiveness and efficiency of the criminal justice system and ensuring safer communities, the transformation of public services and a better justice system for all.”
He added that he wished Ms Durkin every success in her new role and thanked her for her contribution to the inspectorate.
The appointment has also prompted a cautious welcome from the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI), which said it hoped to establish a constructive relationship with the new Ombudsman while calling for changes to the way the office conducts investigations.
PFNI chair Liam Kelly said the new Ombudsman had “a lot of re-building to do” with both serving and retired officers who felt they had been treated unfairly by the office in the past.
He criticised what he described as lengthy investigations, concerns over fairness and objectivity, and a culture in which officers were treated as “guilty before the start of an investigation”.
Mr Kelly said the Federation would judge the new Ombudsman on how officers under investigation are treated, adding that Ms Durkin had an opportunity to reset what had often been a strained relationship between the Federation and the Ombudsman’s office.