Chief's departure 'shocks police'

Andy Edwards said Terry Grange had taken the force forward

Dyfed-Powys Police's new temporary head says the chief constable's sudden retirement was a shock to the force.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating Mr Grange alleged financial irregularities.

Acting deputy chief constable Andy Edwards said his colleagues had no idea Terry Grange was about to step down, but it was "business as usual".

Mr Edwards spoke to him hours after he left, and he said Mr Grange was "comfortable with his decision."

It was announced on Monday that Mr Grange would be retiring immediately, and Mr Edwards told journalists at force headquarters in Carmarthen on Tuesday that the events "obviously came as a shock to the force".

Mr Edwards paid tribute to him, but said the force was "bigger than any one individual".

"I would like to reassure the communities of Dyfed-Powys that the excellent work this force has undertaken over many years will continue.

It is probably true to say that he was a one-off Andy Edwards on Terry Grange, pictured

"The message is one very much of business as usual as far as this organisation is concerned. We are still investigating crimes, we are still attending to road traffic accidents - that will continue."

Mr Edwards said it was likely he would remain at the helm until after Christmas.

"It is likely a chief constable will be appointed to the latter end of the winter - these processes can take a bit of time."

He said that he was sure that in "due course" the police authority would outline the circumstances surrounding Mr Grange's departure but that it could not while the IPCC was investigating.

"I worked with Mr Grange for seven years," added Mr Edwards.

"It is probably true to say that he was a one-off.

"He was more of a maverick and I think some of the pronouncements he made over the years suggest that he had some quite robust views about issues, but many members of the public tend to agree with those views.

"I think he will be very sadly missed as a breath of fresh air.

'Media speculation'

"The important thing to remember as far as Terry Grange is concerned is he spent 36 years serving the public in a number of organisations and in a variety of roles with the utmost integrity."

The IPCC was originally investigating two allegations against Mr Grange. It is still examining a claim of financial irregularities, but another one of misuse of a police computer has been dropped as a result of his retirement.

Mr Edwards said: "The IPCC quite properly have outlined that they are continuing their investigation into allegations of financial irregularities as a potential criminal offence.

"I seek re-assurance from the fact they are not pursuing any issues in respect of the computer allegations because again potentially we could be talking about criminal offences.

"It would appear we are not and that would suggest they are not as serious as some media speculation would lead us to believe at the moment.

"He made that decision (to retire), he believed in the best interests of the force and naturally himself, and I think at the end of the day he was comfortable with that decision.

"I think it is important to record as well that the police authority accepted his retirement with regret."