Simon Byrne’s Contract as PSNI Chief Constable to be Extended
Simon Byrne, the current chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), is set to have his contract extended by three years. The Policing Board has unanimously agreed upon this decision, and has been accepted by Mr. Byrne himself. The final approval of the extension is pending from the Department of Justice, which is expected to be a formality.
Mr. Byrne, aged 60, arrived in Northern Ireland in July 2019 on a five-year contract, and with this extension, his tenure will continue until 2027. This would make him the longest-serving chief constable in the history of the PSNI. Additionally, the new agreement is believed to include the option for further extension if required.
Discussions regarding the contract extension began several weeks ago, and during a meeting on April 6, all 19 board members, including representatives from the five largest political parties, endorsed the decision. The evaluation of Mr. Byrne’s performance to date, as well as his objectives for the coming years, factored into the decision-making process.
According to the PSNI’s accounts for the fiscal year 2021-22, the chief constable has a salary of approximately £230,000.
Prior to joining the PSNI, Mr. Byrne served as the chief constable of Cheshire Police. Last year, he reaffirmed his commitment to the PSNI after being linked to a potential move to the Metropolitan Police. He expressed his immense privilege in leading the PSNI and remained dedicated to his role.
