TOP COP CALLED IN TO AID POLICING BOARD
Top cop called in to aid policing board
A TOP member of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, former Nottinghamshire Chief Constable Dan Crompton, was called in to assist the Policing Board break, the Omagh investigation furore.
Mr Crompton, who played a key role in the Stephen Lawrence row in the Metropolitan Police, has also been an inside observer in the transition of the RUC to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He carried out the last major inspection of the North's police for the HMIC last year and drew up recommendations for the full implementation of the Patten Report.
Most notably, however, Mr Crompton was the HMIC Inspector who "quality assured" the internal RUC review of the Omagh bomb investigation carried out by Chief Superintend Brian McVicker. That review, which pointed to damning mishandling of the investigation, forms the substance of Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's report which has drawn fire from Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan.
He was back this week as the Policing Board reached decision time on the impasse between Mr Flanagan and Mrs O'Loan. He attended Tuesday's talks a clear indication of the pressure on all sides to reach some sort of agreement of where the investigation should go from here.
As Mr Crompton looked on, Mrs O'Loan and later Sir Ronnie presented widely different assessments and argued their case before the chairman Professor Des Rea and the 18 other members of the board, including West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne, one of three SDLP members.
Mr Crompton's responsibilities include the new Police Service of Northern Ireland and he also advises Secretary of State Dr John Reid. He has been heavily involved in the behind the scenes fall out over the Omagh investigation.
One source was quoted in reports as saying: "He is a big, big hitter and an extremely capable individual. He will have a powerful influence on any outcome."
Other sources said Mr Crompton is expected to stay in Belfast for a number of days, almost certainly beyond today (Thursday) when the police board will meet to reach a conclusion.
Mr Crompton, 60, was appointed to HMIC in April 1995, having spent five years as Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Constabulary. He has also worked at Greater Manchester Police during a 35-year police career.
He was responsible for a hardhitting report in January 2001 which said police forces had failed to learn the race relations lessons of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. While still at Nottinghamshire, he caused a storm by saying that officers were "taking advantage" of the medical retirement system to secure bigger pensions.
The HMIC is an independent body which reports to the Home Secretary on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Senior police officers who met him in Northern Ireland said they were hugely impressed. He has been to Belfast several times since the report of Detective Chief Superintendent Brian McVicker's review was handed over to Sir Ronnie in November 2000.
A TOP member of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, former Nottinghamshire Chief Constable Dan Crompton, was called in to assist the Policing Board break, the Omagh investigation furore.
Mr Crompton, who played a key role in the Stephen Lawrence row in the Metropolitan Police, has also been an inside observer in the transition of the RUC to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He carried out the last major inspection of the North's police for the HMIC last year and drew up recommendations for the full implementation of the Patten Report.
Most notably, however, Mr Crompton was the HMIC Inspector who "quality assured" the internal RUC review of the Omagh bomb investigation carried out by Chief Superintend Brian McVicker. That review, which pointed to damning mishandling of the investigation, forms the substance of Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's report which has drawn fire from Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan.
He was back this week as the Policing Board reached decision time on the impasse between Mr Flanagan and Mrs O'Loan. He attended Tuesday's talks a clear indication of the pressure on all sides to reach some sort of agreement of where the investigation should go from here.
As Mr Crompton looked on, Mrs O'Loan and later Sir Ronnie presented widely different assessments and argued their case before the chairman Professor Des Rea and the 18 other members of the board, including West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne, one of three SDLP members.
Mr Crompton's responsibilities include the new Police Service of Northern Ireland and he also advises Secretary of State Dr John Reid. He has been heavily involved in the behind the scenes fall out over the Omagh investigation.
One source was quoted in reports as saying: "He is a big, big hitter and an extremely capable individual. He will have a powerful influence on any outcome."
Other sources said Mr Crompton is expected to stay in Belfast for a number of days, almost certainly beyond today (Thursday) when the police board will meet to reach a conclusion.
Mr Crompton, 60, was appointed to HMIC in April 1995, having spent five years as Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Constabulary. He has also worked at Greater Manchester Police during a 35-year police career.
He was responsible for a hardhitting report in January 2001 which said police forces had failed to learn the race relations lessons of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. While still at Nottinghamshire, he caused a storm by saying that officers were "taking advantage" of the medical retirement system to secure bigger pensions.
The HMIC is an independent body which reports to the Home Secretary on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Senior police officers who met him in Northern Ireland said they were hugely impressed. He has been to Belfast several times since the report of Detective Chief Superintendent Brian McVicker's review was handed over to Sir Ronnie in November 2000.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0955
Published Date: 07-Feb-02
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