Royal Ulster Constabulary - Chief Officers

Chief Officers

The chief officer of the Royal Irish Constabulary was its Inspector-General (the last of whom, Sir Thomas J. Smith served from 11 March 1920 until partition in 1922). Between 1922 and 1969 the position of Inspector-General of the RUC was held by five officers, the last being Sir Arthur Young, who was seconded for a year from the City of London Police to implement the Hunt Report and disarm the police and disband the Ulster Special Constabulary ('B' Specials). Under Young the title was changed to Chief Constable in line with the recommendations of the Hunt Report. Young and six others held the job until the RUC was incorporated to the new Police Service. The final incumbent, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, became the first Chief Constable of the PSNI.

  • Inspector-General Sir Charles George Wickham, from June 1922.
  • Inspector-General Sir Richard Pim, from August 1945.
  • Inspector-General Sir Albert Kennedy, from January 1961.
  • Inspector-General J.A. Peacock, from February 1969.
  • Inspector-General Sir Arthur Young, from November 1969.
  • Chief Constable Sir Graham Shillington, from November 1970.
  • Chief Constable Sir James Flanagan, from November 1973.
  • Chief Constable Sir Kenneth Newman, from May 1976.
  • Chief Constable Sir John Hermon, from January 1980.
  • Chief Constable Sir Hugh Annesley, from June 1989.
  • Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan, from October 1996 - November 2001, continuing as Chief Constable of the PSNI until April 2002

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