Police chief's resign 'disgrace'

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The decision to allow a chief constable to retire before an inquiry into his misconduct has been strongly attacked.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has upheld claims that Terry Grange misused e-mails and a credit card when head of Dyfed-Powys Police.

Welsh Assembly Members Alun Davies and Helen Mary Jones said it was "wholly wrong" for him to go "scot-free" and Kirsty Williams called it a "disgrace".

But MP Lembit Opik said Mr Grange had "suffered enough".

The married police chief retired suddenly last November

The Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Mr Grange for misconduct in public office.

His former lover made the misconduct allegations against him two months after their affair finished.

This is a senior officer who has behaved very badly indeed, and he's been allowed to walk away absolutely scot-free, and myself and every other ratepayer in Dyfed-Powys will pay for his full pension Helen Mary Jones AM

She claimed the married father-of-three Mr Grange sent her 102 e-mails, many of which ranged from politically insensitive to sexually explicit, via a force computer.

She also alleged he had bought her meals and drinks on the force's credit card when she accompanied him on business trips to London during their relationship between November 2006 and August 2007.

The IPCC said Dyfed-Powys Police Authority has been asked to ensure proper procedures for chief officers concerning expenses, annual leave and use of computer systems are put in place or strengthened.

But Ms Jones, Plaid Cymru AM for Llanelli, said the "the chief constable is king" culture needed to be changed.

She said: "This is a senior officer who has behaved very badly indeed, and he's been allowed to walk away absolutely scot-free, and myself and every other ratepayer in Dyfed-Powys will pay for his full pension.

'Genuine mistakes'

Mr Davies, Labour AM for Mid and West Wales, said the police authority was "wholly wrong" to allow Mr Grange to retire.

He said: "I've met officers from the force on a regular basis and they do a fabulous job.

"They have to be supported in their work, but you don't do that by allowing the chief officer to run away from the consequences of his actions.

The man's suffered enough: how much more public humiliation does he have to put up with? Lembit Opik MP

"The police authority should be ashamed of what they have done."

Brecon and Radnorshire Lib Dem AM Kirsty Williams said: "It is a disgrace that this individual has been able to avoid answering for his wrongdoings in this way.

"Public confidence in Dyfed-Powys Police Authority has been undermined and they must now work hard to regain it by changing procedures so that this doesn't happen again."

But Montgomeryshire Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik said: "My personal view is that there's not a great deal of benefit in adding to his pain. He shouldn't be dragged over the coals any more.

"We are dealing with a man who committed a minor crime of passion. He broke the rules in a minor way on the basis of an emotional position he was in.

"The man's suffered enough: how much more public humiliation does he have to put up with?

"I would gently suggest to fellow MPs and AMs that he's paid a huge price for what he did."

After the IPCC's judgement, Mr Grange issued a statement saying he had made "genuine mistakes" over his expense claims for which he had apologised and paid back money.

He also said that he regretted his "inappropriate" use of the work computer, which had led him to resign.