Hunt widens for new police chief

Richard Brunstrom, North Wales Police chief constable

Richard Brunstrom was 'a character,' says the chair of the police authority

The hunt for a replacement for outgoing North Wales Police chief constable Richard Brunstrom is to be stepped up.

After Mr Brunstrom stepped down on Friday, the chair of the police authority said there had been two applications so far for the job.

Ian Roberts said members wanted to complete discussions on finding the next chief "as soon as possible".

But he said police forces across the UK were receiving only one or two applications for chief constable posts.

Mr Brunstrom, who was dubbed the "mad mullah of the traffic Taliban" by parts of the press, became one of the best-known policemen in the UK with his outspoken views on such topics as drugs and speeding drivers.

Well, obviously sometimes we haven't enjoyed it, but it's been an exciting time... I think we'll miss it actually in some ways but other times we wouldn't have done

Ian Roberts, chair, North Wales Police Authority, on the publicity surrounding Richard Brunstrom

Mr Roberts said that in Mr Brunstrom's eight years in the role, he had "been very successful and we need somebody now to keep us going, not to send us backwards".

He said: "We've got used to being one of the best forces in England and Wales and I think we want to keep ourselves there."

He confirmed there had been two applicants to date to become the next chief, but said that was common across the country.

The Times has reported that some forces are putting up significant financial packages to attract applicants.

The newspaper said the police authority in Norwich offered an attractive financial package to secure Ian McPherson, with £200,000 last year, on top of his £126,000 salary.

Mr Roberts told BBC Radio Wales that the North Wales Police Authority would discuss a financial package.

But he said the main salary costs were governed by the size of the force, adding that it was not worthwhile for some officers to become a chief constable "because you could be losing money coming from one force going to the other".

Publicity

Mr Roberts said: "We are not head-hunting at the moment, but I think we've got to discuss the situation we're in." That will be concluded "as soon as possible".

Asked if he had enjoyed seeing so much publicity for the force during Mr Brunstrom's period in office, he said: "Well, obviously sometimes we haven't enjoyed it, but it's been an exciting time.

"I think we'll miss it actually in some ways but other times we wouldn't have done. Obviously we'll miss the man - he's a character."