Drew Harris
Drew Harris QPM | |
---|---|
21st Garda Commissioner | |
Assumed office 3 September 2018 | |
Deputy | Anne Marie McMahon Shawna Coxon |
Preceded by | Dónall Ó Cualáin (Acting) |
Deputy Chief Constable of the PSNI | |
In office 13 October 2014 – 3 September 2018 | |
Chief Constable | George Hamilton |
Preceded by | Judith Gillespie |
Succeeded by | Mark Hamilton |
Personal details | |
Born | Jeremy Andrew Harris[1] 5 April 1965[2] Belfast, Northern Ireland |
Spouse |
Jane Harris (m. 1988) |
Relations | Alwyn Harris (father) |
Children | 4 |
Alma mater | Open University University of Cambridge |
Jeremy Andrew Harris,
Biography
Harris's father, senior RUC officer Alwyn Harris, was murdered by the Provisional IRA in 1989.[2]
Harris joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) in 1983, rising to become Deputy Chief Constable of the PSNI in October 2014.[3]
Following an international selection process, which included a salary increase to €250,000 to attract greater interest,[4] Harris was announced as the new Garda Commissioner on 26 June 2018, becoming the first Commissioner to be appointed from outside the Garda Síochána.[5] He took over the leadership of the Garda Síochána from Dónall Ó Cualáin, who had served as acting Garda Commissioner since the resignation of Nóirín O'Sullivan in September 2017, following a number of Garda scandals.[6] His appointment as Garda Commissioner was initially for five years.[4]
In July 2023, the Garda Representative Association announced the rank and file of the Gardaí were holding a vote of no-confidence in Commissioner Harris over roster disputes.[7] Harris stated that regardless the outcome of the vote, he would not be leaving the position.[8] The vote was passed with 98.7% voting in favour of the motion and 1.3% against.[9]
Personal life
Harris is married with four children. He holds a bachelor's degree in Politics and Economics from the Open University along with a master's degree in Criminology from the University of Cambridge.[3] He is a Protestant, specifically a Presbyterian.[10] He is both a British Citizen and an Irish citizen.[11]
Honours
He was appointed an Officer of the
Ribbon | Description | Notes |
Order of the British Empire (OBE) |
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Queen's Police Medal (QPM) |
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Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal |
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Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal |
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Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal | ||
Royal Ulster Constabulary Service Medal |
References
- ^ "Issue No. 60" (PDF). Iris Oifigiúil. 27 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
- ^ a b "Profile: Drew Harris of the PSNI". Belfast Telegraph. 20 September 2014. Archived from the original on 8 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
- ^ a b c "Deputy Chief Constable | Police Service of Northern Ireland". www.psni.police.uk. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
- ^ a b c Connor, Dyane (26 June 2018). "PSNI officer named as new Garda Commissioner". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
- from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
- ^ "O'Sullivan to retire over 'unending cycle' of scrutiny". RTÉ News. 10 September 2017. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
- ^ O'Connor, Niall (26 July 2023). "Rank and file gardaí to vote on no confidence motion in Garda Commissioner". The Journal. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ Staines, Michael (9 August 2023). ""Whatever the vote is, I'm not leaving" - Garda Commissioner on no confidence vote". Newstalk. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ Reynolds, Paul (13 September 2023). "GRA vote of no confidence in Harris passes unanimously". RTE News. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- US News and World Report. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Mag Raollaigh, Joe (30 August 2018). "Minister says new Garda Commissioner is not an outsider". RTE News.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan ... describing him as an Irishman./ The Garda Press Office has confirmed that Mr Harris does have an Irish passport.
- ^ "No. 59446". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 12 June 2010. pp. 1–28.
- ^ "No. 62666". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 June 2019. p. B1.
- ^ "No. 59446". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 12 June 2010. pp. 1–28.
- ^ "No. 62666". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 June 2019. p. B1.