Ulster Unionist Party Policing Spokesperson, Alan Chambers MLA, has paid tribute to George Hamilton who has just announced his retirement as Chief Constable and stressed the importance of stability in policing in Northern Ireland as we enter uncertain times.  

Alan Chambers MLA, who represents his party on the Policing Board, said:

“Firstly I would like to thank George Hamilton for his 34 years of service in policing in both the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Police Service of Northern Ireland. He was dedicated to the job, always willing to engage and his door was always open. He led the PSNI through some trying circumstances, but always kept a cool head. We wish George all the best for the future.

“Now we need continuity. We need to focus on the future. At a time of immense uncertainty Northern Ireland needs stability in policing and I hope that the Policing Board will be in a position to appoint a successor as soon as possible.

“The PSNI and its officers are operating in tremendously trying fiscal circumstances and that needs addressed in the months and years ahead. There needs to be a realism about police resources which George Hamilton has repeatedly raised as society expects PSNI officers to carry the burden of providing a normal police service with the continued scourge of republican and loyalist crime gangs as well as dealing with the outworkings of Brexit.”

Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Robin Swann MLA said:

“I want to sincerely wish George Hamilton all the best for the future. I`ve always found George to be a completely honest and straight forward individual to deal with. And I always appreciated his forthrightness.”