- First occasion on which a PSNI member will be appointed as Assistant Commissioner in An Garda Síochána
- Appointments made by the Policing Authority, following Government approval
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has welcomed appointment by the Policing Authority of two members of the PSNI to senior positions in An Garda Síochána. Minister Flanagan brought a Memo before this week’s Cabinet meeting proposing Government approval for the Policing Authority’s proposal to make these appointments.
Following a selection competition recently conducted by the Authority, a panel of qualified candidates for appointment as Assistant Commissioner was established. The Authority recently appointed Garda Chief Superintendent Ann Marie Cagney as Assistant Commissioner. As another of the candidates selected by the Authority, Paula Hilman, was a member of the PSNI, Government approval was required for that appointment, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. Ms Hilman’s appointment was this week approved by the Government.
Minister Flanagan said:
I warmly welcome the appointment of Paula Hilman as Assistant Commissioner in An Garda Síochána, following Government approval. This is a significant milestone, representing the first time a member of the PSNI will be appointed to the rank of Assistant Commissioner. Ms Hilman has over 30 years policing experience and will undoubtedly bring valuable expertise to her new role, at a time of significant change in An Garda Síochána.
Minister Flanagan continued:
I also welcome the fact that the appointment of both Anne Marie Cagney and Paula Hilman as Assistant Commissioners will further expand the number of women at senior ranks in An Garda Síochána. It is important that An Garda Síochána reflects the community that it serves and – 61 years after women were first admitted to the organisation – it is not past time that we are moving towards a more equal representation of women in the most senior leadership positions.
The appointment by the Policing Authority of Stephen McCauley, currently serving as a Detective Chief Inspector in the PSNI, to the rank of Superintendent in An Garda Síochána was also approved by Government today.
The Minister said,
In recent years a small number of PSNI officers have similarly been appointed as Superintendents in An Garda Síochána. I wish Stephen McCauley well in his new position.”
I am encouraged to see that it continues to be the case that well-qualified and experienced officers from the PSNI are taking part in competitions to join An Garda Síochána.
As a growing organisation that has expanded significantly in recent years, An Garda Síochána is becoming increasingly diverse and this is a welcome development because it reflects the society in which our Gardaí carry out their important work so effectively.
These appointments have been possible due to the agreement reached with the Government of the United Kingdom on the mutual eligibility of Gardaí and PSNI officers for senior-level competitions in the other organisations. I am pleased to see this opportunity being increasingly availed of, in a way that can only strengthen both organisations, and the links between them, to the benefit of the people of this island.