Northern Ireland police chief resigns after controversies including huge data breach

By SYLVIA HUI
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland’s top police officer has resigned following a series of controversies that plagued the police force, including what he described as an “industrial scale” data breach. The Northern Ireland Policing Board confirmed that Simon Byrne has resigned as chief constable. Byrne has faced growing pressure to step down since personal data on all serving members of the police force were mistakenly published last month in response to a freedom of information request. The incident was particularly sensitive given the delicate security situation in Northern Ireland. Byrne came under more scrutiny last week when a High Court judge ruled that two junior officers were unlawfully disciplined. In a statement Monday, Byrne said it was “time for someone new” to lead the force.