Sir Desmond Rea died earlier this week.

He served as the first chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board from 4 November 2001 to 31 May 2009 and remained an independent member until 23 May 2011. He was knighted in 2004 for services to policing.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said Sir Desmond was a central figure in the transition from the Royal Ulster Constabulary to the Police Service of Northern Ireland and worked to build accountability and public confidence in the new service.

Policing Board chair Brendan Mullan said Sir Desmond helped establish the new policing arrangements after the Patten Review and guided the board through its early years with integrity and purpose.

Sir Desmond was also the first chair of the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment from 1994 to 1998.

He served as chair of the governing body at Stranmillis University College for eight years.

The chief executive of CCEA, Gerry Campbell, and the current CCEA chair, Deborah O’Hare, both expressed condolences to his wife, Professor Maeve Rea, his daughters and the wider family.