The Department of Justice has announced the appointment of Chief Superintendent Simon Walls as a Board member of the Northern Ireland Police Fund (NIPF).
Chief Superintendent Walls is appointed as the statutory nominee of the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He will take up his position on 10 June 2019.
Peter May, Permanent Secretary Department of Justice, said: “I would like to congratulate Chief Superintendent Walls on his appointment. He will bring a wealth of skills and attributes to this position and I wish him every success for his term of office.”
NIPF is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) of the Department of Justice. The NIPF provides financial assistance, advice, support and care to members and former members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC Reserve, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve and their families and dependents, who have been killed or injured by terrorism.
Notes to editors:
1. NIPF comprises a Chairperson and six Board Members. One of the Board members is nominated by the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and one is nominated by the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, subject to the approval of the Department.
2.The procedure for the appointment of Board members is compliant with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice. The appointments are made by the Department of Justice taking account of its statutory duty under The Northern Ireland Police Fund Regulations 2016.
Membership of the NIPF Board is as follows:
- Mr Michael Wardlow – Chairperson
- Ms Kelly Robinson
- Mr Brian McCargo
- Mrs Deirdre Kenny
- Mr Mark Lindsay (PFNI Statutory Nominee)
- One Board Member vacancy to be filled
3. The post does not attract remuneration.
4. The appointment of the Board Member is made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Details of the declaration in relation to political activity are included below.
Pen Picture
Chief Superintendent Simon Walls has been a police officer since 1997 and began his career in the City of London Police. He served in a variety of roles including staff officer to the Assistant Commissioner and Community Policing Inspector. Chief Superintendent Walls transferred to the PSNI in November 2007 and has fulfilled predominantly operational roles as an Area and District Commander. He spent a short period of time as a Detective Chief Inspector. In his current role Chief Superintendent Walls supports the Assistant Chief Constable in the delivery of front line and neighbourhood policing services across the PSNI. He is a public order, gold commander and a strategic firearms commander. Chief Superintendent Walls is a graduate of the universities of Durham, Dublin and Portsmouth and was awarded a doctorate in July 2016.
Political activity declared – None.
5. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office 028 9052 6444. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 028 9037 8110 and your call will be returned.