A critical review into how the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) investigated unsolved killings during Northern Ireland’s Troubles has led its head leaving his post earlier than expected.
Dave Cox will depart at the end of this month, 12 weeks earlier than expected, following a U-turn by PSNI Chief Constable, Matt Baggott.
HET’s director of the military operations, Paul Johnston, will also leave on the same date when his contract ends.
The review of the HET, set up in 2005 to look into investigate more than 3,000 unresolved killings – many in Derry – found the unit treated deaths caused by members of the security forces less rigorously than deaths attributed to paramilitaries.
The report also claimed the team was inconsistent, had serious shortcomings and risked losing the confidence of victims’ families.
Following the publication of the report, the Policing Board said it had no confidence in the leadership of the HET.
Mr Cox was due to set down in December but policing board members wanted him to go earlier, which led to a fierce disagreement with Chief Constable. However, Mr Baggott has now informed the board Mr Cox is to leave at the end of this month.
A PSNI chief superintendent and superintendent will be appointed on September at the end of this month to review all policies, procedures and standards and fulfil all recommendations made in the recent report.
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