WILLIAM GRAHAM ACKNOWLEDGES CHIEF CONSTABLE
HAS INCREASED SAFETY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES
A media release from William Graham AM on 21st February
William Graham (Conservative AM for South Wales East) responding to Gwent Police Chief Constable Mike Tonge’s decision to step down in September:
“I acknowledge Mike Tonge’s record of identifying and tackling the policing issues throughout Gwent”.
“He has maintained police morale during many testing periods for our Police Forces, such as the current police pay award and when the Government planed to combine all police officers in Wales into a single Police Force”.
“It was his forceful commitment to neighbourhood policing, which he shared with other Chief Constables, that made the Home Secretary drop the plan of a single Police Force in Wales”.
“I appreciate that by stepping down next September, he will allow his successor to have more time to prepare for the 2010 Ryder Cup, which will provide many challenges for our Police Force. This will be a ‘show case event’ for Gwent and I am sure that our Police Force will ensure that we are seen, throughout the world, in our best light”.
“It will also allow his successor to completely oversee a scheduled three-year policing review”.
“I acknowledge all he has done to increase safety within our communities”.
William Graham JP, AM
CHIEF WHIP, PARTY CHAIRMAN AND EUROPEAN SPOKESMAN
Email – William.Graham@Wales.gov.uk