{"id":106,"date":"2014-10-10T12:05:46","date_gmt":"2014-10-10T12:05:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/law-news\/?p=106"},"modified":"2014-10-20T12:06:04","modified_gmt":"2014-10-20T12:06:04","slug":"appointment-process-for-irelands-new-policing-authority-chief-orientated-towards-secrecy-and-government-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/law-news\/appointment-process-for-irelands-new-policing-authority-chief-orientated-towards-secrecy-and-government-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Appointment process for Ireland’s new Policing Authority chief ‘orientated towards secrecy and government control’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Irish policing expert Professor Dermot Walsh criticised the appointment process for Ireland\u2019s new independent Policing Authority chief in an article published by the Irish Examiner<\/em> today.<\/p>\n

In the article entitled Selection of police authority chief criticised<\/a><\/em>, Professor Walsh, who is described by the Irish daily newspaper as a \u2018leading legal expert\u2019, said he was disappointed \u2018the appointment process seems heavily orientated towards secrecy and government control\u2019.<\/p>\n

He goes on to say: \u2018It seems clear the process is not based on a transparent and competitive interview conducted by an independent body incorporating relevant expertise.<\/p>\n

\u2018The appointment seems to be within the exclusive patronage of the Government.<\/p>\n

\u2018None of this sits easily with the concept of an independent police authority. I would much prefer to see an independent, transparent and competitive process overseen by an appropriate Oireachtas committee.\u2019<\/p>\n

Earlier this year<\/a>, Professor Walsh was interviewed by the Irish Examiner<\/em> following the Government\u2019s decision to establish the new Policing Authority, a decision which Professor Walsh described as \u2018momentous\u2019.<\/p>\n

He was also interviewed by the Irish Examiner<\/em> in April<\/a> following the sudden departure of the head of the Irish police force.<\/p>\n

Professor Walsh’s main research interests focus on policing and criminal justice; criminal procedure; human rights; and European criminal law and procedure. Read more about his publications on his staff profile<\/a>.<\/p>\n