Bobby Singleton appointed new PSNI deputy chief constable

Bobby Singleton has been appointed as the new deputy chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The move was ratified by the Policing Board and approved by Justice Minister Naomi Long.

Mr Singleton was among the first intake of recruits to the PSNI after its formation in November 2001.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said he was delighted to welcome him to the role.

"Bobby is dedicated to policing in Northern Ireland and he brings a wealth of knowledge, skill, leadership and experience to the job," he said.

"Like myself, I know that Bobby truly understands the importance and responsibility that comes with this role and what a privilege it is to be a part of this organisation."

Policing Board chair Mukesh Sharma said the board "look forward to working with him in this key position of support to the chief constable".

"The appointment process was progressed on the key principles of merit, fairness, openness and transparency," he said.

Over the course of the last 23 years, Mr Singleton has held various roles within the PSNI, including leading the delivery of community policing services in Belfast.

From April 2016 to May 2019, then a detective superintendent, he was the service's lead for drugs, organised crime and the then newly established paramilitary crime task force.

He was appointed as head of the PSNI's legacy investigation branch in May 2019.

In December 2021, he was appointed as assistant chief constable.