“Our community has lost our chief” – respects paid after passing of Ian Johnston

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By his own admission, former Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent Ian Johnston was a “pretty straightforward person”.

That directness of approach meant Mr Johnston, who has died aged 70, became a respected leader in his beloved community of Oakdale, the wider Gwent area, and of course the police.

Announcing the news of his death on social media, his daughter Hayley Thomas said: “Our community has lost our chief.”

Mr Johnston suffered a fall on Monday, February 13, and was admitted to University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, before passing away on the Wednesday.

Mr Johnston grew up in Oakdale and was a person always willing to help others – reflected by the outpouring of tributes from the area.

Married to wife Janet in 1972, the couple had been together from the age of 13 after meeting at a local youth centre.

Mrs Johnston recalled: “Ian came down there and we played a game of chess and I beat him. We were only kids, but I think that narked Ian a bit.”

Showing early signs of his detective skills, Mr Johnston found out where his future wife lived and a courtship blossomed which eventually led to marriage.

An illustrious career in the force was marked by Gwent Police, which lowered its headquarters’ flag to half-mast in honour of Mr Johnston.

Mrs Johnston described the gesture as the equivalent of treating her late husband like “royalty”.

She said: “If Ian could have seen them lowering the flag for him, he would’ve been really proud. I think it’s amazing, kind and thoughtful. It’s special.”

Joining the police force as a cadet in 1969, Mr Johnston rose through the ranks of Gwent and was eventually appointed head of CID in 1995. In between these events, Mr Johnston had stints lecturing officers, a secondment to the Home Office, and senior management roles including divisional chief inspector at Pontypool.

In 1999 he became a divisional commander and after 33 years service with Gwent Police in 2004, he became vice president of the Police Superintendents Association of England and Wales.

In what he described as the highlight of his policing career, Mr Johnston was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in 2003.

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From 2007 and 2010 he was president of the association, which represents officers in the rank of Superintendent and Chief Superintendent.

After retiring in 2010, Mr Johnston set up a security consulting business before deciding to stand as an independent candidate for the then newly-created role of Police and Crime Commissioner.

After stepping down from the PCC role in 2016, he became an ambassador and chairman for the Crimestoppers charity in Wales.

Important as it was, there was much more to Mr Johnston than his policing career.

“Ian was a showman,” said Mrs Johnston. “He was a fantastic dancer and a singer. He could master anything.”

Describing Mr Johnston as a “brilliant father” to his three children, Mrs Johnston recalled a time when he lived in London for around two-and-a-half years.

She said: “Either Ian would come home or I would go up to London with the children every weekend. He would take the kids and me to a show and then Sunday I’d have his dirty washing back. We would call each other throughout the week.”

Mr Johnston was also a leading figure in Blackwood Rotary Club.

Allan Sharpe, president of Blackwood Rotary Club, described Mr Johnston as “irreplaceable”.

He said: “He embraced everything enthusiastically. I never saw him lose his temper or say a bad word, but he was very forthright. 

“He was involved in local and international charities through Rotary and immersed himself with it. He became known as the bloke to speak to in Blackwood Rotary.

“He became the Police Superintendent President for England and Wales and he was very proud of that. He reached the pinnacle but it didn’t stop him working.

“Whatever he did, he wanted it conducted properly. He certainly embraced everything he did.”

Mr Sharpe continued: “He had a way of bringing people in. He had a gruff exterior but as soon as he started talking with someone he could draw them in. 

“He spent his entire life working for the people. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for that. Everyone will miss him.”

People wishing to commemorate Ian’s memory can do so via a donation to HCT, the homelessness charity started by his daughter Hayley. Visit GoFundMe to make a donation.