Police chief quits over reforms
A senior police officer has resigned in opposition to the election of police commissioners.
Tony Melville, Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police, said he had "grave concerns" about the election of Police and Crime Commissioners and would not serve under one.
Mr Melville, who has been Chief Constable of the force for two years, will step down at the end of May.
"After a 34-year career in the police service, 10 of which have been as a chief officer, I have decided the time is right to leave," he said.
"I believe policing does need to change and that is why we have transformed our approach in Gloucestershire. However, I have grave concerns about some elements of the current police reform agenda, especially the election of Police and Crime Commissioners in six months' time. I have therefore decided that I will not continue as Chief Constable under those new arrangements. I am stepping aside in time for the Police Authority to appoint my successor and ensure continuity for the incoming Police and Crime Commissioner in November."
Elections for the new commissioners will take place in November and they will replace the existing police authorities.
Holders of the controversial new posts, who will set force budgets and have the power to hire and fire chief constables, will attract salaries of between £65,000 and £100,000.
Mr Melville was appointed in January 2010 - moving to Gloucestershire from Devon and Cornwall Police, where he had worked as deputy chief constable for three years. Under his leadership the force has made annual £24 million savings from its £103 million budget.
Rob Garnham, chairman of Gloucestershire Police Authority, said: "We are sad to see Tony leave the organisation and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank him for everything he has done for the constabulary during his time as chief constable.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Parliament has decided that elections for the first police and crime commissioners will be held in November, giving the public a stronger voice in the fight against crime while protecting the operational independence of chief constables. All the major political parties agreed that police authorities needed democratic reform and we worked closely with Acpo (the Association of Chief Police Officers) to ensure that their concerns were addressed. We are not going to speculate on the local reasons why a chief constable decides to retire."
