Chief constable quits after woman complains over 'inappropriate emails'

Terry Grange, of Dyfed Powys Police, retired with immediate effect as it was confirmed that the inquiry relates to alleged misuse of a police computer and financial irregularities.

It is claimed that the married officer sent a number of inappropriate emails to a woman from his office computer.

A separate inquiry has been started into his mileage claims for work-related trips.

Mr Grange, 57, eligible to retire after serving more than 30 years in the police, decided to step down at once rather than try to fight the allegations.

Highly regarded in senior police circles, Mr Grange had regular dealings with the Government as the spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers on child protection and the management of sex offenders.

It is understood the allegations against Mr Grange were made by the woman who received his emails.

Last night Dyfed Powys Police Authority said it had accepted his retirement "with regret".

A statement said: "Mr Grange had indicated that he had allowed his private life to interfere with his professional role as chief constable."

"This has led the Police Authority to consider his position and it was considered to be appropriate to accept his retirement."

The Independent Police Complaints Commission said: "Although the chief constable has now retired, the IPCC is continuing its independent investigation into alleged financial irregularities.

"It would be inappropriate for the IPCC to comment further at this stage but it will make a detailed public statement in due course."

Welsh Assembly opposition leader Nick Bourne, a Conservative member for Mid and West Wales, said: "This comes as a bolt out of the blue. In all my dealings with him I found him to be a first-class police officer.

"He had a good reputation, deservedly so, as does the police force.

"It's an area with very effective policing. You would get very few people criticising the policing in Dyfed Powys."

Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik, whose Montgomeryshire constituency is in the Dyfed Powys area, said he was stunned by Mr Grange's retirement.

He said: "Whatever has happened, at a human level I wish Terry the best for the future."

Father- of-three Mr Grange was based at the force HQ in Carmarthen, West Wales, where officers were in shock last night.

One PC who did not want to be named said: "There were rumours a couple of months ago when the IPCC said they were looking into financial irregularities, but no one thought the chief might be involved."

A source at the Association of Chief Police Officers said: "We are very sorry to see Terry leave in these circumstances.

"In an era when many chief constables are constrained by political correctness and the risk-averse culture engulfing the police, he was a breath of fresh air."

Mr Grange took a tough line on illicit drugs and was regarded as an expert on domestic violence, harassment, rape, homicide and combating internet child abuse.

He was unavailable for comment last night.