Jim Gamble versus Matt Baggott: Leicestershire chief constable chosen as next head of PSNI

Leicestershire chief constable chosen as next head of PSNI


Matt Baggott, chief of Leicestershire constabulary, leaves the policing board headquarters in Belfast before the announcement that he had been appointed the new chief of the PSNI. Photograph: Paul Faith/PA


Gerry Moriaty

MATT BAGGOTT, the chief of Leicestershire constabulary in England, has been chosen as the next PSNI chief constable. He will succeed current Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde, who is stepping down at the end of this month after seven years in the post.
The interview board, consisting of DUP, Sinn Féin, SDLP and Ulster Unionist politicians and independent members including chairman Barry Gilligan and deputy chairman Brian Rea, unanimously selected Mr Baggott (50) to fill the post last night.
DUP interview panel member Ian Paisley jnr described Mr Baggott as a “team player” and as an “innovator and radical policeman”.
Sinn Féin panel member Alex Maskey said Mr Baggott would be taking over at a time “when there was a great opportunity for continuing the process of change” in policing. Mr Gilligan said that all four candidates for the post were high-calibre and impressive.
Mr Baggott won the interview competition from two serving chief constables, Durham chief Jon Stoddart and West Mercia chief Paul West, and against the only Northern Ireland candidate, Jim Gamble, chief executive of the British Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.
Mr Gamble previously served in the PSNI, reaching the rank of superintendent, and in the RUC including its special branch.
Mr Baggott, who is married with three children and is originally from south London, has been a policeman for 31 years, serving with the London Metropolitan Police, West Midlands Police and winning promotion to the position of Leicestershire chief constable in 2002.
He worked with former RUC and PSNI chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan on the British National Review of Policing.
He is president of the Christian Police Association and vice-president of the British National Association of Police Chaplains. “I have a very strong Christian faith,” he said when he briefly met the press last night after his appointment.
“Policing with the community is a major part of the Patten report and recommendations, and I am looking forward to moving it on to the next part of the journey. Policing with the community is definitely at the heart of what I do,” he added.
Mr Baggott was reluctant to flesh out at this early stage what particular approach he will take to the job which will include challenges such as dealing with the dissident republican threat and seeing, as proposed, the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Executive.
“I am absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity to lead the PSNI and serve the community as chief constable,” he said. “The PSNI has come through a significant change programme and I look forward to using my experience to build on the progress to date in the delivery of a professional policing service to all the people of Northern Ireland,” he added.
Mr Baggott, who said his main hobby was fishing, will be heading what is a new PSNI leadership team.
Recently, Judith Gillespie was promoted to deputy chief constable, replacing Paul Leighton who recently retired, while there were other changes at senior level.
There will be an interim period when Ms Gillespie will act as chief constable. Mr Gilligan said Mr Baggott would take up the post in matter of months.
Mr Gilligan said the policing board was looking forward to working with Mr Baggott.
“Matt Baggott has an impressive track record and in leading the PSNI forward his policing experiences will bring a new perspective to the delivery of policing here,” he added.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0812/1224252421128.html

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Comment found on Textusa's blog: http://textusa.blogspot.com/2010/04/secret-of-gamble-flavor.html

"Let me tell you something about Jim Gamble.

There were four Officers ,and there was a position in Ireland for only one of them. Matt Baggott and Jim Gamble were in the final running. We in Ireland would go to Church and beg on our knees Jim Gamble was not chosen for this post. Our prayers were answered it was Matt Baggott who won. Jim Gamble is not interested in being head of CEOP. Jim Gamble is only interested in being in control.

Jim Gamble LIED under OATH in a Court of law, his actions caused people to take their lives. LIVES Bonnybraes1, people died because of his lies.

I am also disturbed to hear Jim Gamble is involved in the Madeleine Mccann case because he has not yet answered for his actions in Operation Ore.

Thank you."

Trudy.Ireland

Short straw.

Bloody hell this Gamble Guy seems to have a quite a bit to history, I think we should do a lot of digging on this guy.

everyone on the forums are really going to town on Gamble, has he drawn the short straw as far as having to help the Mccanns?

There's some good stuff on Textusa's blog

http://textusa.blogspot.com/2010/04/jim-gambleoperation-ore.html