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Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Colin Port to step down | Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Colin Port to step down |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A chief constable is to step down after refusing to re-apply for his own job. | |
Colin Port announced he would not seek the renewal of his contract with Avon and Somerset Police, a day after Sue Mountstevens was sworn in as police and crime commissioner (PCC). | |
It comes as around England and Wales many PCCs have been sworn in on the day the police authorities are replaced by the new role. | It comes as around England and Wales many PCCs have been sworn in on the day the police authorities are replaced by the new role. |
Other commissioners have already begun to make changes to their forces. | Other commissioners have already begun to make changes to their forces. |
In a statement, Mr Port said Ms Mountstevens had told him she intended to "start the process to recruit a chief constable" to take the force "forward". | In a statement, Mr Port said Ms Mountstevens had told him she intended to "start the process to recruit a chief constable" to take the force "forward". |
He said: "I told her I had no intention of applying for my job." | He said: "I told her I had no intention of applying for my job." |
Deputy Chief Constable Rob Beckley will take over as acting chief constable when Mr Port leaves. He will also cover the role during the recruitment process. | |
Ms Mountstevens, who won the election to be the region's first PCC, was the only independent candidate to stand in Avon and Somerset. | Ms Mountstevens, who won the election to be the region's first PCC, was the only independent candidate to stand in Avon and Somerset. |
She said as Mr Port only had nine weeks left to run on his contract, she wanted the job to go out to a "competitive process" as soon as possible. | |
'Big loss' | |
"I asked him to apply and he said he wouldn't apply for his job and that he would think whether he would resign or not. | |
"I would not to be able to renew his contract for long - it would have only been for a year - and I want a chief constable that can work for the foreseeable future for Avon and Somerset. | |
"Colin Port has done a great job - it's just that we are not going to be able to work long enough together with him just being on a one-year contract," Ms Mountstevens said. | |
She said she wished him the very best for the future. | |
In his statement, Mr Port confirmed he would be retiring from the police service on 26 January 2013 at the end of his fixed-term appointment. | In his statement, Mr Port confirmed he would be retiring from the police service on 26 January 2013 at the end of his fixed-term appointment. |
"I am terrifically proud to have led Avon and Somerset Constabulary, whose men and women have delivered so much in partnership with the police authority," he said. | "I am terrifically proud to have led Avon and Somerset Constabulary, whose men and women have delivered so much in partnership with the police authority," he said. |
"I am sad to leave and stunned by the many messages of support I have received overnight from police officers and staff, ACPO colleagues, partners and friends of Avon and Somerset Constabulary. | "I am sad to leave and stunned by the many messages of support I have received overnight from police officers and staff, ACPO colleagues, partners and friends of Avon and Somerset Constabulary. |
"To all of them, I say thank-you." | |
Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, described Mr Port as a "hugely experienced chief constable". | Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, described Mr Port as a "hugely experienced chief constable". |
"Colin Port has led Avon and Somerset Police with distinction over the last eight years, reducing crime and raising public confidence, steering the force through a period of major change and handling a number of high-profile criminal cases," he said. | |
"His skills and experience will be a big loss to the service." | "His skills and experience will be a big loss to the service." |
United Nations | United Nations |
Mr Port was appointed head of Avon and Somerset Police in January 2005 after transferring from Norfolk Constabulary, where he was deputy chief constable. | Mr Port was appointed head of Avon and Somerset Police in January 2005 after transferring from Norfolk Constabulary, where he was deputy chief constable. |
His career began with Greater Manchester Police in 1974 and he also served with Warwickshire Police. | His career began with Greater Manchester Police in 1974 and he also served with Warwickshire Police. |
In 1994, Mr Port worked for the United Nations as investigations co-ordinator with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. | In 1994, Mr Port worked for the United Nations as investigations co-ordinator with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. |
He was also director of investigations for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. | He was also director of investigations for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. |
Between 1999 and 2002 he was seconded to Northern Ireland to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Rosemary Nelson, the human rights lawyer killed by a loyalist paramilitary group in 1999. | Between 1999 and 2002 he was seconded to Northern Ireland to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Rosemary Nelson, the human rights lawyer killed by a loyalist paramilitary group in 1999. |