A Northern Irishman at the head of the EUPOL Copps mission

(BRUXELLES2) It is a Northern Irishman who is heading the European Union Police Mission in Palestine (EUPOL Copps). Ambassadors from the European Union's Political and Security Committee (PSC) endorsed it today (3 July). Kenneth Deane is however well versed in European techniques since he was since May 2010, Deputy Commander of Civilian Operations of the European Union (CPCC) after having held the position of Chief of Operations at this same CPCC. Previously, he was Deputy Head and Acting Head of the European Police Mission - EUPOL Afghanistan (from June 2007 to January 2009).

A graduate of Ulster University in police studies (1983-1985), administration and public policy (1987-1992) and Canterbury Christ Church (2001-2003), Ken Deane spent much of his career in Northern Ireland (the former RUC) in Belfast (from 1980 to May 2006) in various operational, training or command posts, climbing all levels from "constable" to "assistant chief constable" (*). He has mainly been in several places abroad, first in Iraq at the British Consulate in Basrah (February 2004 - September 2004) and, more recently, in Afghanistan: first as Chief of Police Adviser at the British Embassy in Kabul (May 2006 to June 2007) then at EUPOL. Palestine is therefore his third duty station, in a rather risky area.

(*) A date correction has been made to this information

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