Ex-chief constable breaks silence

May 7 2008 by Steffan Rhys, Western Mail

Terry Grange

THE former Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police last night broke his silence surrounding his shock departure from the force six months ago.

Terry Grange, a married father of three who served as an officer of distinction for 36 years, admitted he had been engaged in a relationship with another woman and had made inappropriate use of the police e-mail system. He said he resigned in the interests of his family and the police service.

His comments came hours after a hard-hitting report from the Independent Police Complaints Commission found he had abandoned official police business as a result of the affair, as well as using his force credit card to buy meals for his mistress – findings which were greeted with surprise by Mr Grange yesterday.

The investigation into Mr Grange began after his former lover said he had sent her 102 e-mails via a force computer, which ranged from politically insensitive to sexually explicit.

Yesterday Mr Grange said: "I have been subject to an investigation by the IPCC into inappropriate use of e-mails, expense issues and non-attendance of meetings in London. All of these issues arose out of a period of time when I was engaged in a relationship with another woman.

"In relation to the expense claims, I offered my explanation, which is detailed in the IPCC’s report. My explanations were accepted during the course of the interview and at no time was I challenged by the interviewing personnel that my explanations lacked credibility. I am therefore surprised that this comment has now been made and I have not been given the opportunity up until now to challenge this. I made genuine mistakes in the submission of my expense claims for which I have apologised and made recompense.

"I bitterly regret the use I made of the force e-mail. I accepted immediately that this was inappropriate and took the decision in the interests of my family and the police service that I should resign. This decision was accepted by the police authority.

"In relation to the allegation that I failed to attend meetings, these matters were put to me during the course of my interview. Again, I have proffered by explanations, which were accepted and not challenged by the interviewing personnel."

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