Monday, November 19, 2007

Terry Grange

I was absolutely floored by the resignation (retirement) of Terry Grange, the Chief Constable of the Dyfed-Powys Police Authority today. He had always impressed me as an approachable and competent policeman, who was doing a good job. But clearly, he has done something out of order. The Authority statement said that it was investigating "inappropriate use of the police computer system and alleged financial irregularities". Terry Grange said that he had "allowed his private life to interfere with his professional role".

What does this tell us? It looks as if the Chief Constable has been using his office computer to pursue some aspect of his private life in a way so unacceptable, that the Police Authority felt that Terry Grange should go with immediate effect. This is a very serious matter, as well as being a personal tragedy for Terry Grange. This computer material must be out there somewhere. I cannot imagine that it was Terry Grange himself who brought it to the attention of the Police Authority. I hope its 'internal' and that it doesn't become public - because if its 'external', it will have a 'Sunday Newspaper' value and will become public. I liked the former Chief Constable and today is a disappointment to me. Could it be that the dreaded email spider has claimed another careless fly.

12 comments:

Aberavon and Neath Liberal Democrats said...

I quite agree. Whatever the nature of his transgression, it must not blight the valuable work Grange has done in the field of child abuse.

Someone must also pick up from him the campaign for a EU-wide sex offenders register. (NB Grange was by no means a "Little Englander"; he went out of his way to stress the benefits of immigration when interviewed on this subject.)

- Frank Little

Oscar said...

I hope its 'internal' and that it doesn't become public - because if its 'external', it will have a 'Sunday Newspaper' value and will become public.

I know what you mean, but in fairness, he was paid out of the "public" purse, he worked for us, so it should be made public.
I personally think it is a disgrace he can be allowed to retire in the middle of an enquiry, thus halting the enquiry as it is not now relevant, due to him having retired.
No doubt on a full pension.
He may well have committed a disciplinary breach that could have led to his dismissal, were he to be a serving officer.
Quite frankly it stinks.

Glyn Davies said...

oscar - I don't think I agree with you here. It is fairly clear that the issue is one which may have led to him being disciplined in some way - and since he's gone this cannot be the case. It depends a bit on the nature of the emails - but I cannot see that anything is served by having personal stuff made public.

Anonymous said...

It is claimed on the pistonhead blog "that the married officer sent a number of inappropriate emails to a woman from his office computer ........ It is understood the allegations against Mr Grange were made by the woman who received his emails".
There may very well be an iceberg ahead.

Oscar said...

yes but who now picks up the tab for his "full pension"
Had a case ben proved before he jumped ship, that would not be the case.
Many Police officers are able to jump ship on "health ground" and get the full pension, lump sum etc.
You and I' been self employed work hard , for no such benefits.
If your are wrong, then so be it.
if proved innocent then fair enough.

Glyn Davies said...

oscar and anon - I do think there may be an iceberg ahead - if the emails become public. My own view is that Terry Grange has probably suffered enough. I admit that I don't know what impact this sort of incident has on pensions - would have thought none. But would have an impact if if there was a redundancy payment - which I assume there wasn't. I suspect it will all emerge - perhaps on Sunday.

Anonymous said...

I have known Terry Grange for the best part of 20 years he is a good, honest man with the integrity that many of those who will now criticise him and those who have insisted on his downfall would glad to be blessed with.

I believe without exception each of the 43 Chief Constables in this country would be hard pressed to say that they have never at some stage in their career been quilty of what Terry seems to be accused of. Perhaps the net should be cast even wider to look at the practices of other Chief Constables!

I agree with Oscar this stinks of a witch hunt!

Oscar said...

yes but who now picks up the tab for his "full pension"
Had a case ben proved before he jumped ship, that would not be the case.


It would have a huge impact on what it would cost the tax payer.
No doubt about it.
I think at best you are been naive Glyn.

Anonymous said...

Can Oscar provide a link to where it says that Terry Grange retired on 'health grounds' and can he hand on heart tell us that he, Oscar, does not ,in any way shape or form, work in the Public Sector.

Glyn Davies said...

anon - I share your high opinion of Terry Grange - but I do not think the Police Authority had much choice. I don't think its a witch hunt. He made a mistake - and he held a job where mistakes that are forgiven elsewhere cannot go unpunished.

oscar - My understanding is that he had reached the stage where he was entitled to retired on full pension - and that it has not been enhanced at all. I have a bit if experience of these things and, at this stage, I do not see why the taxpayer would have paid out less if these 'inappropriate' emails were made public. They would only satisfy the unhealthy desire of some for gossip - and cause even more pain for someone who has paid a very high price for a mistake. I make no comment about the 'expences' issue which is a serarate matter, and will depend on scale which none of us is in a position to judge. It could be very minor. I think you are going over the top. Just my opinion.

Oscar said...

fair enough.
You of course have met and dealt with the man.
That does in fairness go a long way in coming to a conclusion.

Anonymous said...

http://trallwmfarm.blogspot.com/2009/03/golden-handshakes-for-bossespolice-with.html

Please understand that your view is simply as an outsider looking in. There are many of us that have suffered BECAUSE of Terry Grange and now his forced retirement is used to protect the image of Dyfed Powys police.