Flanagan to step down next year

Sir Ronnie Flanagan is to stand down as Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary next year.

He confirmed today: "The time is approaching when Ronnie Flanagan will go."

With recruits to the new police service of Northern Ireland due to begin training, Sunday will also mark his fifth anniversary in charge of the RUC.

He could remain Chief Constable for another two years, but today signalled plans to leave once the first contingent of officers graduate and start duty with the new service next Spring.

Sir Ronnie said: "I am absolutely committed to these changes. It is therefore very important, as a visible demonstration of that commitment for me to be in post when the major changes take place.

"The programme of change we are now well embarked upon is going to be never ending, possibly 10 years. Clearly I am not going to be in post to see all these changes in their end state."

He added: "Just as it was important for me to be the one who takes the RUC through this period of transition, it is equally important that somebody new takes it on from there in the relatively near future."

The first meeting of the board which will oversee the future policing arrangements is due be held in Belfast next week.

It replaces the Police Authority of Northern Ireland and will appoint Sir Ronnie's successor.

He joined the force in July 1970 and was twice head of Special Branch before he took on the top job

Sir Ronnie, 51, said: "I don't know how long this will take and I am not rushing away.

"But I think it is approaching the time when Ronnie Flanagan should go in order to demonstrate truly and publicly and visibly the development of the new beginning.

"Somebody should be in post relatively soon to take things on for the next five to 10 years."

Since the force was first reformed in 1970, he is the 11th Chief Constable.

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