Jon Burrows
Jon Burrows | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for North Antrim | |
| Assumed office 4 August 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Colin Crawford |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Ulster Unionist Party |
Jon Burrows is an Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) politician who has served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for North Antrim since August 2025.[1] Jon Burrows began his policing career in 1995 after initially applying to the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), the predecessor to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). He served as a senior police officer in the Police Service of Northern Ireland until his retirement in 2021.[2]
Career
[edit]Burrows began his career in the now dissolved Royal Ulster Constabulary, before moving to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and served in a number of roles, including as Area Commander for Foyle[3] and head of the internal discipline branch,[4] until he retired on health grounds in 2021.
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
[edit]In July 2025, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) announced that Burrows had been selected to replace Colin Crawford as MLA for North Antrim.[5][6]
Controversies
[edit]Sex Discrimination Tribunal
[edit]Jon Burrows was mentioned multiple times in an industrial tribunal brought by former Chief Superintendent Emma Bond, who alleged sex discrimination within the PSNI. Bond claimed that Burrows exhibited bias against her during internal investigations. Burrows expressed being "shocked" by these allegations, emphasizing his commitment to professionalism and fairness in his role.[7]
Ormeau Road Incident
[edit]Burrows was a vocal critic of the Ombudsman’s handling of the 2021 Ormeau Road incident, where a PSNI officer was unlawfully suspended. He argued that the Ombudsman failed to investigate the actions of senior officers involved and instead pursued disciplinary charges against the suspended officer. Burrows contended that the suspension was politically motivated and not based on misconduct.[8]
Sexual Misconduct Allegations within the PSNI
[edit]In 2022, the Police Ombudsman found that a PSNI officer had inappropriately initiated a personal relationship with a woman he met during a domestic abuse investigation. The officer received a final written warning for gross misconduct. Burrows defended the majority of PSNI officers, stating that such incidents should not be used to malign the entire force.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Former senior PSNI officer selected to be new Ulster Unionist MLA". 29 July 2025. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ McCarthy, James Martin (29 July 2025). "Former senior PSNI officer Jon Borrows selected as new UUP North Antrim MLA". Belfast Live. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ John (18 March 2015). "DERRY POLICE CHIEF MOVED: SAYS FLEADH WAS HIGHLIGHT OF TIME IN CITY". Derry Daily. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ "Boost for Ulster Unionist Party as former senior police officer Jon Burrows selected as MLA for North Antrim". NorthernIrelandWorld. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ "Former senior PSNI officer Jon Burrows to become UUP MLA". BBC News. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ "UUP: Jon Burrows replaces Colin Crawford as North Antrim MLA - Northern Ireland Elects". nielects.com. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ "Key figure in PSNI sex discrimination tribunal Jon Burrows 'devastated' at bias allegations and no reply". Irish News. 30 January 2023.
- ^ "Jon Burrows: The whole saga surrounding the Ormeau Road incident is a microcosm of what is wrong in Northern Ireland". News Letter.
- ^ "SDLP have presented 'no evidence' to support claim of PSNI culture problem, says former top officer Jon Burrows". News Letter.