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Police chief announces retirement Police chief announces retirement
(about 6 hours 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.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."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 RICHARD BRUNSTROM TIMELINE 1979 Joined Sussex Police as a zoology graduate from Bangor University1990 Joined Greater Manchester Police as a superintendent, and was a regular match commander at Old Trafford1995 Appointed assistant chief constable in Cleveland, later becoming deputy chief constable 2000 Joined North Wales Police2001 Succeeded Michael Argent as chief constable. Told his police authority that decriminalising drugs including heroin and cocaine would help to wipe out a multi-million pound criminal trade2002 Called for a "cultural shift" in attitudes to speeding2003 A retired assistant chief constable tells Mr Brunstrom to "get a grip" and claims he has an "obsession" with speeding drivers2005Claims to be the first police constable to start a class="" href="http://www.north-wales.police.uk/portal/blogs/cc/archive/2009/02/23/a-walk-in-the-park.aspx">blog 2006 Created an honorary druid by the gorsedd of bards at the Eisteddfod for his learning and promotion of the Welsh language2007 Criticised for showing pictures of a decapitated biker at a briefing as part of his anti-speeding campaign and apologised. Subjected himself to 50,000v to demonstrate his support for taser trial. Reportedly broke into his force HQ to test security2009 Co-presented the Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2
"Under his leadership north Wales has become one of the best performing forces in the UK."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.""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.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.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.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.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 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.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.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.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.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".But in an interview with a local paper later that month, he said the person who announced his departure was "mistaken".