Ex-police chief misused expenses

Terry Grange retired suddenly last November

The former chief constable of Dyfed-Powys misused a work computer and a corporate credit card while having an affair, an inquiry has found.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) found all allegations against Terry Grange proved.

The claims were made after his former lover complained to the IPCC two months after their affair ended.

Mr Grange has retired, and prosecutors found insufficient evidence to charge him with misconduct in public office.

IPCC commissioner for Wales Tom Davies said as a result of the investigation Dyfed-Powys Police Authority had been asked to ensure proper procedures for chief officers concerning expenses, annual leave and use of computer systems are put in place or strengthened.

"This is a sad end to a long and distinguished career of a senior police officer," he said.

Dyfed-Powys Police Authority accepted the IPCC's recommendations and said: "The failings in this case were largely those of one man, not the wider organisation."

An investigation was launched into married father-of-three Mr Grange after his former lover said he had sent her 102 e-mails via a force computer, many of which ranged from politically insensitive to sexually explicit.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST TERRY GRANGE Misuse of the force computer system Use of the force computer system likely to bring discredit on the force Expense claims in respect of a woman Mr Grange was in a relationship with Failing to attend official business meetings to spend duty time with the woman he was having a relationship with Source: IPCC

The IPCC investigated her claims that during their relationship between November 2006 and August 2007, she had accompanied him on business trips to London and he had bought her meals and drinks on the force's credit card.

She also said he had missed two meetings he was supposed to attend on behalf of the force because he was spending time with her.

Mr Grange said he had intended to pay for Ms A's meals - but had made a mess of his expenses claims.

The IPCC found all Ms A's allegations substantiated and said Mr Grange's explanation for discrepancies in his expenses was unconvincing and lacked credibility.

In April, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed it would not press charges against Mr Grange over the allegations after the IPCC passed on their report.

Mr Grange said in a statement his explanations about the expense claims were accepted by the IPCC when he was interviewed during their investigation.

"At no time was I challenged by the interviewing personnel that my explanations lacked credibility," he said.

"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," he said.

He regretted the use he had made of the email system, adding: "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."

Mr Grange said his explanation over allegations he failed to attend meetings had also been accepted by the IPCC.

Lessons to be learned

Mr Grange retired suddenly last November during an IPCC investigation into the claims. His wife has confirmed they are still together.

In a statement, Dyfed-Powys Police Authority said it had recovered £130.38 owed to it from Mr Grange.

It said the force had already strengthened its procedures for the use of credit cards.

If there are more lessons to be learned, further measures will be put in place, it said.

"The authority wishes to reassure the public that the security of the force's IT network was not compromised by any actions of Mr. Grange," the statement added.

The authority said it believed the CPS's decision not to prosecute Mr Grange vindicated its earlier decision to accept his request for retirement after 36 years of service.

"Not to have done so would have prolonged the situation whilst not materially adding to it", said Alasdair Kenwright, chairman of the authority.

Last month, Dyfed-Powys Police announced it had appointed the deputy chief constable of West Mercia Police, Ian Arundale, as its new chief constable.

Mr Arundale, who started his career with South Wales Police, is expected to take up his post in June.