Announcement of new Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland

First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have today announced the appointment of Jacqui Durkin as the new Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.

The First Minister and deputy First Minister said Ms Durkin, who has served as Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland since November 2019, brings extensive senior leadership experience and a strong track record in oversight, governance and public service.

Ms Durkin will take up the post on 26 June 2026.

Notes to editors:

1. A Written Ministerial Statement on the appointment of the Police Ombudsman is available here: www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/official-report/written-ministerial-statements/
2. The Office of the Police Ombudsman was established by the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 to provide an independent means of handling complaints against the police. The Police Ombudsman is responsible for the investigation of complaints against the police, as well as a range of related statutory functions.
3. The appointment for the Police Ombudsman is a single term of seven years.
4. The Office of the Police Ombudsman is a non-departmental public body financed by grant-in-aid from the Department of Justice. It employs over 150 staff and plays a key role in maintaining public confidence in policing.
5. The position of Police Ombudsman was advertised widely by The Executive Office in November 2025, on the basis of an annual salary of £173,854 per annum (under review), with a competitive selection process attracting 21 applications from across a broad field. An appointment panel shortlisted and interviewed 7 candidates, following which the First Minister and deputy First Minister met with the final candidates and made a joint decision on the appointment.
6. The First Minister and deputy First Minister have statutory responsibility for jointly recommending the appointment of the Police Ombudsman.
7. The appointment has been made on merit following a fair and open competition. The appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and was made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice.
8. The Commissioner for Public Appointments requires that political activity of appointees is declared.  In this case, Ms Durkin has not declared any political activity.