EU High Representative for the CFSP welcomes appointment of EUPOL COPPS chief – EU press release/Non-UN document

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Brussels, 3 January 2007
S002/07

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for CFSP,
welcomes appointment of Head of EU Police Mission for the
Palestinian Territories

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, welcomes the appointment of Colin SMITH as Head of the EU Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories, code-named EUPOL COPPS. Mr Smith took up his post on 1 January, succeeding Jonathan McIvor who was the first head of the mission.

Colin SMITH has significant police experience, notably in Northern Ireland and recently in Iraq as Commander of the UK police development mission there. The High Representative pays tribute to the work of Jonathan McIVOR in setting up this innovative mission.

EUPOL COPPS was established by a decision of the EU Council on 14 November 2005. Its operational phase started on 1 January 2006. The mission, which has a long-term reform focus, aims to provide enhanced support to the Palestinian Authority in establishing sustainable and effective policing arrangements.

Together with the EU Border Assistance Mission in Rafah (EUBAM Rafah) and the substantial contribution of EU Members States to UNIFIL II in Lebanon, EUPOL COPPS is testimony to the EU's involvement in the Middle East in the field of security.

Background:

The mission, which has a three-year mandate, aims to assist in the implementation of the Palestinian Civil Police Development Plan, to advise and mentor senior members of the Palestinian Civil Police and criminal justice system and to co-ordinate EU and – where requested – international assistance to the Palestinian Civil Police. Given the outcome of the Palestinian legislative elections of early 2006 and subsequent Quartet statements, the mission has scaled down its active involvement with the Palestinian civil police but it maintains contacts at working level and monitors the upkeep of EU investments made in the past.

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This statement is attributable to Cristina Gallach, Spokesperson of HR Solana

Attached: Curriculum vitae of Mr Colin Smith

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Colin Frederick William Smith, QPM

Work Experience

Iraq

2005 – 2006: UK Chief Police Advisor – Iraq – Deputy Chief Constable (US 2* Equivalent). Seconded

to Iraq by Foreign and Commonwealth Office as Commander of UK Police Development Mission in

Baghdad and Basra. Advisor to the Deputy Minister Iraqi Police Service and Her Majesty’s Ambassador,

Baghdad. Liaison UK and US Military. Command of 200 Civilian Police Advisors across Iraq

Hampshire Constabulary

2000 – 2004: Assistant Chief Constable ‘Specialist Operations’. Reporting to Chief Constable.

Responsible for 5000 officers and staff, policing the Counties of Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Specific

portfolio for major and organised crime, forensic, crime intelligence; special branch, operations, public order,

criminal justice. National responsibilities for counter-terrorism, intelligence, CBRN as member of ACPO TAM.

1996 – 2000: Head of Corporate Services. Chief Superintendent responsible for formulation and

direction of strategic development, annual plan, performance management and review of Force.

Head of Inspectorate and introduction of ‘best value’ and Crime and Disorder Act (1998)

Metropolitan Police Service (London)

Detective Superintendent

1995 – 1996: Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) on Major Crime Team in SE London responsible for

murder and serious crime investigation. Drug-related crime murders (‘Yardies’), SIO on 1995 Brixton Riots.

1993 – 1995: Complaints Investigation Bureau (CIB2). SIO on complaints and professional

standards investigations into corrupt police officers.

1991 – 1993: Commissioners Staff, New Scotland Yard. Responsible for strategic development,

environmental scanning and change management. Co-author of MPS 5 Year Strategic Plan.

Royal Ulster Constabulary, Northern Ireland

Special Branch

1990 – 1991: Northern Ireland Anti-Racketeering Unit. Detective Chief Inspector. Ran counterterrorist

operations (ct) against republican and loyalist racketeering, smuggling, counterfeiting and extortion.

1988 – 1990: Head of Special Branch, Londonderry City. Detective Chief Inspector and head of

counter terrorist intelligence gathering, operations and investigations. Liaison with police and military

special forces, Garda Siochana and Security Services in Londonderry City and north-west.

1986 – 1987: Divisional Detective Inspector, North Belfast. Head of counter terrorist intelligence,

operations and investigations against republican and loyalist terrorists in north Belfast.

1984 – 1986: HQ Intelligence Detective Inspector. Intelligence collation, analysis, assessment,

report and dissemination on republican terrorist groups in Northern Ireland and UK mainland. Liaison

with Military Intelligence, Security Services, Garda Siochana and FBI. Training and preparing

presentations for ACC, Head of Special Branch and Chief Constable.

1976 – 1983: Patrol Constable to Inspector in Belfast, County Tyrone and County Down. Station

commander, mobile and riot support, bomb response (Belfast)and counter-terrorist patrol.

Private Sector

1972 – 1976: Advertising, Marketing and Sales Management with Times Regional Newspapers (London, Aberdeen and Belfast), engineering company (Dublin and Cork) and pharmaceutical support (London)

Education

Master of Arts Social (Terrorist Studies) Reading University 1990-1993

Master (MBA) Business Administration University of Ulster 1984-1987

Batchelor of Arts Politics, Modern History Southampton University 1969-1972

Diploma Applied Criminology Cambridge University 1999

‘A’ Level History, Economics Aylesbury Grammar 1966-1967

‘O’ Level 7 (inc Maths and English) School

Awards

2006 Queen’s Police Medal (QPM)

2002 Queen’s Jubilee Medal

1999 Police Long Service Medal

1985 RUC Service Medal

Professional Membership.

Fellow of Chartered Management Institute

Bramshill Fellow (UK Police Staff College)

Publications.

‘The Development of British Counter-Terrorist Strategy: Role of the Police and Army 1916-1993’ – (Bramshill Fellowship Dissertation). Articles and Presentations on Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism.

Training.

Counter Terrorist Operations

Terrorism & Political Ideology

Intelligence Officers (Security Services)

Intelligence Resources (Security Services)

Strategic Management

Serious and Series Crimes

Linked Series Crimes

Strategic Management

Strategic Command (Police)

Gold CBRN Commander

Skills and Competencies.

Social: Team spirit and player, high interpersonal skills – a ‘people person’.

Organisational: Extensive leadership background. Strategic and operational command. and management. A long investigative, security and intelligence background (30 years)

Communication: Articulate, sharp sense of humour, highly developed presentational and training skills & experience.  International presenter

Technical: Computer/IT literate. Competent user – Microsoft and Internet.

Other: Firearms (long and short) and Operations (20 years): CBRN; Public Order (Riot); Develop Vetted. Hostile Environment (FCO)

Driving: Full Car, Transit and Motorcycle. Police trained and authorised.

Languages English (main).

Medical: Fit – regular walker, swimmer. No history of ailments.

Hobbies Reading, backgammon, sports car restoration