Hugh Orde Chief Constable Police Service of Northern Ireland 2002 - 2009

He was appointed to the post of Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on 29 May 2002 and took up post on 1 September 2002. He vacated the post in April 2009 after being elected as the new president of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Hugh Stephen Orde joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1977 and initially served in Central London. On promotion to Sergeant he moved to Brixton followed by further promotion to Inspector. He then took up various posts in South and South East London. As Chief Inspector he became Staff Officer to Deputy Assistant Commissioner (South West London) and then took command of the Territorial Support Group as a Superintendent. Between 1994 and 1997 he was responsible for the management of major crime investigation for South West London. This was followed by command of the Community, Safety and Partnership portfolio where he was involved in the development of community and race relations training and strategy for the MPS.

He was appointed Commander (Crime) for South West London in June 1998 and in April 1999 was the officer in command of the bomb at Brixton. He was also responsible for the development of Operation Trident set up to deal with crack cocaine and murders whilst in this post. He has worked in Jamaica in relation to this operation and has also been involved in the Commissioner's initiatives in training a new Organised Crime Force in South Africa.

He was promoted to Deputy Assistant Commissioner in October 1999 and was given day to day responsibility for the Commissioner's Enquiry (Stevens III) into collusion and the murder of a prominent solicitor in Northern Ireland.

He was awarded the OBE in the New Year Honours List 2001 for services to policing. Sir Hugh received a Knighthood in the Birthday Honours List, June 2005. A graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute, he also holds a Degree in Public Administration and an Hon. Doctorate in Civil Law from the University of Kent. In January 2006 Sir Hugh was elected Vice-President of the Association of Chief Police Officers for England Wales & Northern Ireland.