Originally from Canada, Mr Hutchinson is a graduate of Carleton University in Ottawa and of Queen’s University in Belfast, where he obtained an MBA.

He served 34 years in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, rising through the ranks to become Assistant Commissioner.  His roles included general duty policing, dealing with economic crime, drug enforcement, VIP protection, and ‘public order.’

Both Mr Hutchinson’s background in policing in Canada and his experience as Oversight Commissioner in Northern Ireland have given him a background in many of the issues he faces as Police Ombudsman.