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| Police chief announces retirement | Police chief announces retirement |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The chief constable of North Wales Police Richard Brunstrom has announced that he will retire from the force in July. | The chief constable of North Wales Police Richard Brunstrom has announced that he will retire from the force in July. |
| His retirement concludes more than eight years as leader of the force and 30 years with the policing service. | His retirement concludes more than eight years as leader of the force and 30 years with the policing service. |
| Last year, Mr Brunstrom had announced that he expected to retire by Christmas 2009 but later said the person who announced his departure was "mistaken". | Last year, Mr Brunstrom had announced that he expected to retire by Christmas 2009 but later said the person who announced his departure was "mistaken". |
| Mr Brunstrom has faced controversy throughout his time as chief constable. | Mr Brunstrom has faced controversy throughout his time as chief constable. |
| Ian Roberts, chair of the North Wales Police Authority, said they were sorry to learn of Mr Brunstrom's intention to retire. | |
| "I would like to pay tribute to his unflagging energy and commitment to making North wales a better and safer place," he said. | |
| Richard will be a hard act to follow Ian Roberts, chair of the North Wales Police Authority | |
| "Under his leadership north Wales has become one of the best performing forces in the UK. | |
| "We will now embark on the search to find a worthy successor who can build on the extremely strong foundations he has laid. Richard will be a hard act to follow." | |
| Renowned for his outspoken views, he said it was right for public servants to speak out on controversial subjects and he often made the headlines across Britain. | |
| He was dubbed the "Mad Mullah of the Traffic Taliban" because of his strong views against speeding. | |
| In 2007, Mr Brunstrom was criticised for showing pictures of a decapitated biker at a private briefing without the permission of the man's family. | |
| He admitted later he had made a "stupid" mistake but then partly blamed the media for reporting what he had done. | |
| In September 2007, he also subjected himself to a 50,000 volt taser to test the effects. | |
| In December he reportedly broke into his own Colwyn Bay headquarters to test security, but it recently emerged he may have had a faulty key fob. | |
| He is also known for his support for the decriminalisation of heroin. | |
| Mr Brunstrom originally announced his intention to retire in a programme broadcast on BBC Radio Wales in August 2008. | |
| In it he said he wanted to buy a boat and sail with his wife when his contract ended. | |
| But in an interview with a local paper later that month, he said the person who announced his departure was "mistaken". |