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Hunt for new police chief starts Hunt starts for new police chief
(about 1 hour later)
The search for a top police officer to lead the Dyfed-Powys force following the sudden resignation of its chief constable has begun. The search is beginning for a new head of Dyfed-Powys Police after the sudden departure of its chief constable as an investigation is carried out.
Terry Grange, 58, announced his retirement from the post he had held since March 2000 on Monday. The retirement of Terry Grange, 58, was announced amid an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities and misuse of the police computer system.
It came amid an inquiry into claims of alleged financial irregularities and misuse of the police computer system. The news shocked politicians, with one calling it "a bolt from the blue".
Acting Deputy Chief Constable Andy Edwards said the force "would continue to maintain its high standards". Acting deputy chief constable Andy Edwards said the force "would continue to maintain its high standards".
The announcement of Mr Grange's retirement from the force was confirmed by the Dyfed Powys Police Authority, which said it had accepted with regret his retirement with immediate effect. The announcement was confirmed by the Dyfed-Powys Police Authority, which said it had accepted with regret his retirement with immediate effect.
It added that Mr Grange "had indicated that he had allowed his private life to interfere with his professional role". Hopefully new leadership for the Dyfed-Powys force can be found quickly and this episode can be put behind us Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb
TERRY GRANGE Terry Grange is married with three adult daughtersJoined the Army at 15, serving with the Parachute BrigadeHas a Masters degree in public servicesJoined the Metropolitan Police in 1971Joined Avon and Somerset Police in 1988, becoming assistant chief constable in 1994Became Dyfed-Powys chief constable in 2000 It said Mr Grange "had indicated that he had allowed his private life to interfere with his professional role".
Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb called for a replacement chief constable to be found soon.Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb called for a replacement chief constable to be found soon.
"It would be wrong to speculate on the nature or outcome of the ongoing investigation," he said."It would be wrong to speculate on the nature or outcome of the ongoing investigation," he said.
"Hopefully new leadership for the Dyfed-Powys force can be found quickly and this episode can be put behind us.""Hopefully new leadership for the Dyfed-Powys force can be found quickly and this episode can be put behind us."
Acting Deputy Chief Constable Andy Edwards said communities in the force area would not be affected by the recent developments. Mr Edwards said the area would not be affected by Mr Grange's retirement.
"The force has an enviable reputation for performance and enjoys a close relationship with its many communities throughout the force area," he said."The force has an enviable reputation for performance and enjoys a close relationship with its many communities throughout the force area," he said.
TERRY GRANGE Terry Grange is married with three adult daughtersJoined the Army at 15, serving with the Parachute BrigadeHas a Masters degree in public servicesJoined the Metropolitan Police in 1971Joined Avon and Somerset Police in 1988, becoming assistant chief constable in 1994Became Dyfed-Powys chief constable in 2000
"None of that will be compromised as a result of Mr Grange's retirement, following his long and successful association with the force."None of that will be compromised as a result of Mr Grange's retirement, following his long and successful association with the force.
Terry Grange had been top officer of the force for seven years
"He leaves the organisation with another outstanding year's figures in respect of all aspects of operational performance.""He leaves the organisation with another outstanding year's figures in respect of all aspects of operational performance."
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating allegations against Mr Grange.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating allegations against Mr Grange.
The IPCC said: "Although the chief constable has now retired the IPCC is continuing its independent investigation into alleged financial irregularities.The IPCC said: "Although the chief constable has now retired the IPCC is continuing its independent investigation into alleged financial irregularities.
"It would be inappropriate for the IPCC to comment further at this stage but it will make a detailed public statement in due course.""It would be inappropriate for the IPCC to comment further at this stage but it will make a detailed public statement in due course."
The IPCC had announced last Thursday that it was investigating an unnamed Dyfed-Powys officer over "misuse of the police computer system and alleged financial irregularities".The IPCC had announced last Thursday that it was investigating an unnamed Dyfed-Powys officer over "misuse of the police computer system and alleged financial irregularities".
It has now been confirmed Mr Grange is that officer. The IPCC confirmed on Monday that Mr Grange is that officer.
Following the announcement that Mr Grange was retiring, the former chairman of Dyfed Powys Police Authority John Antoniazzi said he was surprised by the news. John Antoniazzi, a former chairman of Dyfed-Powys Police Authority, said he was greatly surprised.
"I am in a state of great surprise that (there is) anything untoward regarding Terry Grange," he said. "He led the force to a very high position in the 43 forces of England and Wales and we are very proud of that position, a position he held for some time."
"I've always thought he was beyond reproach, I'm sure that he is.
"As a chief constable he was beyond reproach in so many aspects. He led the force to a very high position in the 43 forces of England and Wales and we are very proud of that position, a position he held for some time."