Baggott: PSNI shouldn't have to investigate Troubles-era killings

“We have to create a situation where police resources are focused on the here and now, without taking away from the needs of justice or victims,” the outgoing chief constable said.

OUTGOING PSNI CHIEF Matt Baggott has said Northern Ireland needs to find a new way to investigate killings that happened during the Troubles.

He said the force should not not investigate murders that happened before the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

He made the comments to BBC Northern Ireland, as be marked his final day in office, saying there was a ”need to separate the past from the present”.

“I think how ever that is done, the PSNI should no longer be accountable for dealing with issues that pre-date the Good Friday Agreement.”

“We have to create a situation where police resources are focused on the here and now, without taking away from the needs of justice or victims.

But that can be done in a different place, under a different authority.

Baggott, who took up the top job in 2009, is being replaced by Co Down-born PSNI officer George Hamilton.

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