Northern Ireland's Policing Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, is expected to deliver two controversial reports into past events before she leaves office later this year.
The reports will detail her findings into the 1972 Claudy bombing when nine civilians were killed and the murder in 1999 of solicitor Rosemary Nelson.
Mrs O'Loan will be succeeded by 59-year-old Al Hutchinson at the Ombudsman's office in November.
The appointment of Al Hutchinson, a former senior Canadian police officer who monitored policing reforms in Northern Ireland, has been welcomed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern.
Mr Hutchinson has been in Belfast since 2001 to monitor the implementation of policing reforms.
He was pegged as a favourite to take the £122,000-a-year job, which he can hold for up to seven years.
The Northern Secretary Peter Hain, who confirmed his appointment, said it was without doubt one of the most challenging positions within the public sector and he was pleased to secure the services of Mr Hutchinson for such a vital position.
Originally from Canada, Mr Hutchinson is a graduate of Carleton University, Ottawa and Queen's University, Belfast.
He served nearly 34 years in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) retiring at the senior executive rank as the Assistant Commissioner responsible for operations in Ontario, Canada's largest province.
Mr Hutchison was a former chief of Staff for the Office of the Oversight Commissioner from its inception in 2001. He later took charge after the retirement of Tom Constantine in January 2004.
