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The chief constable of North Wales Police Richard Brunstrom has announced that he will retire from the force in July.

His retirement concludes more than eight years as leader of the force and 30 years with the policing service.

Last year, Mr Brunstrom had announced that he expected to retire by Christmas 2009 but later said the person who announced his departure was "mistaken".

Mr Brunstrom has faced controversy throughout his time as chief constable.

Ian Roberts, chair of the North Wales Police Authority, said they were sorry to learn of Mr Brunstrom's intention to retire.

"I would like to pay tribute to his unflagging energy and commitment to making North wales a better and safer place," he said.

"Under his leadership north Wales has become one of the best performing forces in the UK.

He was dubbed the "Mad Mullah of the Traffic Taliban" because of his strong views against speeding.

In 2007, Mr Brunstrom was criticised for showing pictures of a decapitated biker at a private briefing without the permission of the man's family.

He admitted later he had made a "stupid" mistake but then partly blamed the media for reporting what he had done.

In September 2007, he also subjected himself to a 50,000 volt taser to test the effects.

In December he reportedly broke into his own Colwyn Bay headquarters to test security, but it recently emerged he may have had a faulty key fob.

He is also known for his support for the decriminalisation of heroin.

Mr Brunstrom originally announced his intention to retire in a programme broadcast on BBC Radio Wales in August 2008.

In it he said he wanted to buy a boat and sail with his wife when his contract ended.

But in an interview with a local paper later that month, he said the person who announced his departure was "mistaken".

Richard Brunstrom applies for Cayman Islands post
Richard Brunstrom, the controversial police chief, has applied to become the Commissioner of the Cayman Islands, according to reports.

By Richard Edwards, Crime Correspondent
Last Updated: 6:34PM BST 12 Apr 2009

North Wales Police Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom Photo: PA
The North Wales chief constable, nicknamed the Mad Mullah of the Traffic Taliban because of his campaign against speeding motorists, is said to be on the shortlist for the role in the Caribbean.

He appeared to suggest a plan to retire last year, after 29 years service, but shortly after declared that "reports of my demise are sadly exaggerated".


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Apple sells billionth application for iPhones and iPodsAccording to sources he was one of 37 applicants for the £112,000-a-year role of Commissioner of the Royal Cayman Islands, and has made it on to the shortlist of six officers after an interview in the Caribbean.

There was delight at the suggestion of his departure among his critics in North Wales, where he has been chief constable since 2001.

Llandudno businessman Arthur Roberts, of North Wales pressure group "People for Proper Policing," said: "I wish him every success in his application."

The islands enjoy one of the lowest crime rates in the world and if successful, the 54-year-old will be able to indulge his passion for sailing.

The outspoken police chief has provoked repeated anger with his comments, the most recent of which was to call for fatal car wrecks to be removed with their dead victims still inside to ease traffic congestion.

He has called for the number of speed cameras to be trebled and also ordered his officers to "hide behind road signs and walls" to catch speeding drivers.

He has also repeatedly called for the legalisation of hard drugs and claimed that ecstasy was safer than aspirin.

In 2007 he was criticised for using a photo of a decapitated biker in a road safety campaign without his family's permission.

A North Wales police spokesman was unavailable for comment.

But a shame to loose one of the few senior police officers who has a sensible attitude to recreational drugs

Here's how to hijack a post!
Anton wrote: (with apologies to Anton I think his post was excellent!)



Well maybe he is going of to be able to draw the proceeds from The 50% "Missing Unpaid Fpns that occured during his regime under the road safety camera scheme!"
Full figures from his Partnership to follow!

Am I glad to see him go? Well yes.. but wonder about the replacement all the same.

mad moggie wrote:

My opinion:
Under The ACPO "PRIVATE CLUB SYSTEM"

The opposites to computers:

"SH*T OUT, SH*T IN!"