Gwent Police Chief Constable Carmel Napier is to retire amid claims she clashed with the force’s elected Police and Crime Commissioner.
Caerphilly MP Wayne David has said the shock retirement of Carmel Napier was “not unconnected to the appalling relationship between her and Gwent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Ian Johnston.”
Mr David said: “I suspect that the reason for the Chief Constable stepping down is not unconnected to the appalling relationship between her and Gwent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Ian Johnston.
“When the legislation on PCCs was pushed through by the Government, Labour warned that the relationship between PCCs and Chief Constables had not been properly thought through. Sadly, recent events demonstrate that this is the case.”
Mr Johnston, speaking to Caerphilly Observer, would not comment on Mr David’s claims directly instead acknowledging Ms Napier’s 30 years of public service.
He added: “The public may pose the question would Wayne David’s attitude be different if the Labour candidate had won the election.
“He may also want to reflect on some of his previous comments [during the election] about someone with a police background being elected to the position and not being able to hold the force to account.”
Labour’s Islwyn MP Chris Evans said questions needed to be answered by Mr Johnston.
He said: “It is quite clear that Ian Johnston has failed his first test in the job and questions need to be asked about why the relationship between the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner has broken down.
“I find it extremely worrying that these two senior figures cannot resolve their differences and work together. It is a real concern that Carmel has departed after just two years and so soon after the election of a new PCC.
“The Police and Crime Commissioner has some serious questions to answer about the events leading up to Carmel Napier’s resignation.”
Ms Napier became Gwent Police’s Chief Constable in 2011. A temporary replacement will be appointed next week before a search for someone permanent.
Ms Napier started her policing career in 1983 at Hertfordshire Constabulary, moving up the ranks.
She then moved to the North Yorkshire force, as Detective Chief Superintendent in charge of CID and specialist operations.
Two years as an Assistant Chief Constable at Essex Police was spent before joining Gwent.
If our Caerphilly MP is to be believed there really is a problem for future Policing in our County..
If the Commissioner, who was elected by us to work with the Chief Constable, cannot do so, for whatever reason, then he has to inform the public why that has become the case.
When such high ranking Police Officers leave the Police Service they usually have to give proper notice, sometimes even a number of months, and, mostly do not leave until a successor has been appointed, there is something very strange going on here in Gwent.
Surly, the Crime and Police Commissioner would have held the Chief Constable to account on issue of leaving the force in `limbo, but for some reason he was unable to prevent her doing so, and that is not satisfactory situation.
The entire basis of the creation of local Crime and Police Commissioners was one of scrutiny of the work of the Chief Constable, it is not possible for anyone to make a valid judgement,including Ian Johnston, in the case of Carmel Napier, after only in six months of working together, so, to lose such a senior colleague in such a short time of working together may be considered carelessness, or, could he be listening to ex-colleagues who have axes to grind in forming HIS professional relationship with her.
One would have thought that two such high profile, senior, high `intellect`,individuals, who`s both role it is is to serve the public, and not be influenced by any personal egotistical, flexing of muscles, could have at least shown to have `given it a good go`.
The unique position of the Crime Commissioner is that whatever he does he will be judged at the election for that post, in four years time, his every word and action will be trawled up at that time by those who seek or have aspirations to that role, it is therefore critical that he gets it right from here on, in the appointment of a `new` Chief Constable, Appointments drawn from the ranks of friends and ex colleagues, as in the case of his deputy, will not be tolerated by those opposed to him.
Is Mr Johnston saying that he has effectively sacked the Chief Constable?
Speculation on the reasons why Chief Constable Napier resigned are ill advised. The main point is that we now have a an elected Police Commissioner and, thankfully, not a party political one.
It is far too early for anyone, including me, to judge Ian Johnston on how well he is doing his job. The important thing is that he will have to seek re-election at the end of his term. If the public believe he is not doing well he will be removed by the ballot. This is unlike the previous situation where we had an unelected police authority made up of people with the 'right' connections.
I've no idea whether Mr Johnston is doing a good job. I am concerned, however, about the intemperate language of the Labour Party MPs. Not for the first time, one is left with the impression that their primary concern is not the welfare of the people but the continuing hegemony of their party in south east Wales.
How much pension will she get?
I think we can take it from the newspaper articles that there was a breakdown between the PCC and the Police Chief which probably led to her resignation. Perhaps the Police Chief felt threatened by the madate the PCC for Gwent received from the electorate. After all, a whopping 15% of voters in Gwent went to the polls to chose their PCC. About 4 in 10 of those who bothered to vote, voted for Mr Johnson as their first preference.
The elections of PCC's were a complete waste of tax payers money and was the shabbiest run election I can ever remember. The £120m should have been spent on measures to bring down child poverty, education or health. Instead we are lumbered with PCC's and their hand – picked deputies. Its not good enough.
Jan – Reading the Argus tells me that she will receive £93,000 per annum pension. Whether this is true or not I do not know, what is certain is that she will be a higher rate tax paying pensioner!
I can only agree with Councillor Pritchard sentiments. The PCC position is just another tier of administration. The amount of spending on "Empire Building" to support this is unnecessary. We have a collection of support staff, the appointment of an unelected Deputy Commissioner, office space and the usual expenses and perks. So in effect the tax payer is stumping up for a bloated, irrelevant and completely unnecessary public "servant". And we get an election for this every four years. A farce of magnificent proportions.
I will be very interested in the new Chief Constable's appointment process. Cronyism anyone?
Come on… The reason for her sacking is running the force into the ground moral wise, trying to squeeze too much juice from the orange, fiddling crime figures and her horrific bullish attitude of do it my way or no way.
Essex police had the same to say about her.
Yet all the MPs are jumping on the political band wagon in attacking the PCCs
Finally someone called her and made her accountable for her actions.
She was the only chief to take a bonus from crime figures and is now being accused of fiddling them.
The PCC has started another recruitment campaign for more officers almost immediately, something she always said there was no money for.
Good on mr Johnston for his work, and shame on you MPs trying to get some brownie points. Chris Evans himself has lost any future vote of mine by his moronic comments. The PCC is showing that they will make Chiefs accountable as they were intended for the better of the public, he has been open and transparent which is a lot more than can be said for your respective parties.
I just hope the public of Gwent get the service they deserve for their money and an accurate reflection of what is going on in Gwent Police rather than a rosé tinted view that earns a few people a couple of quid.