Policing Board chief resigns

Mr McCann took up the chief executive post last August

Policing Board chief executive Bob McCann has resigned less than a year after taking up the post.

He told the policing body he had decided to quit for personal reasons.

Mr McCann was paid a salary of about £70,000.

His departure was set to be announced by board chairman Professor Desmond Rea next week.

"During his period with the board, Bob contributed a great deal to the effective and efficient running of the board's organisation," said Prof Rea.

"He had most notably driven the independent strategic review of the board's organisation.

"On behalf of the board and members of staff, I would like to thank him for his commitment and hard work, and wish him well for the future."

Mr McCann, who was previously with Northern Ireland computer systems firm SX3, took up the chief executive post last August.

The Policing Board said he would be leaving in September to "pursue a number of personal projects".

The 19 member Policing Board, which includes politicians from the UUP, SDLP and DUP, along with independent members, was set up to hold the service to account.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland came into being in November 2001 as part of sweeping reforms to the service under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

A new uniform, and symbol were also introduced as part of the reforms.

Sinn Fein is the only party in the province which refuses to endorse the new service.

The party has also refused to nominate members for the Northern Ireland Policing Board because it believes present structures and reforms fall short of the Patten report.