The Chief Constable of Police Service of Northern Ireland, Matt Baggott, is to retire.

In a statement today he says he will not be seeking an extension to his contract when it comes to an end in September.

He got the top job in the PSNI in 2009 after a career with three English police forces. Mr. Baggott has been a police officer for 37 years.

In the statement he said "It has been a real privilege to lead the PSNI through the immense changes of the past few years".

"I am deeply proud of the courage and commitment of my colleagues and the enormous progress they have made on behalf of everyone".

"In my remaining months as Chief Constable my priorities will be to ensure the PSNI has the resources to deal effectively with the many challenges ahead and that our very personal, professional and protective service goes from strength to strength" he added.