NI officer to take Iraq role

Iraqis are demanding a return to law and order now war is over

One of Northern Ireland's most senior police officers has been appointed to an international advisory role in Iraq.

Assistant Chief Constable Stephen White will be based in Basra as part of the programme of police reform in Iraq following the war in the country earlier this year.

Mr White, who is currently based in Portadown, has been the commanding officer in charge of the security operation surrounding the controversial Drumcree parade for the past number of years.

A statement confirming the appointment is expected from the foreign office within the next few days.

Mr White has considerable international policing experience. He has previously overseen policing reforms in Serbia, Mongolia and Indonesia.

He will join several other senior police officers from the United Kingdom who are involved in rebuilding the policing infrastructure in Iraq.

Paul Kernaghan, the chief constable of Hampshire police, and Superintendent John Hughes-Jones, from North Wales Police, took up positions in the country last month.

Mr Kernaghan. who is originally from Northern Ireland, has been touring Basra and Baghdad as part of the mission to review police pay, staffing and structure and to help restore public confidence in the force.