“Few police staff will shed a tear” over the departure of Gwent Police chief constable Carmel Napier, UNISON branch secretary Linda Sweet said today.
Ms Napier was controversially ordered to retire, or be forced out, by police and crime commissioner Ian Johnston.
This was just weeks after the chief constable announced her intention to cut 100 police staff over the next year, with another 140 to follow – without consulting UNISON.
Mr Johnston, who was elected as an independent, criticised Ms Napier’s management style and said that she was unsympathetic towards the role of the PCC.
He was also aware of UNISON’s unhappiness about her staff announcements.
“Mr Johnson understands consultation and negotiation, because he used to be chair of the Police Superintendents’ Association,” commented Ms Sweet. “I can’t say the same about Ms Napier, because she has never been supportive of the trade unions.
“In April her office produced an internal video to staff. In it the chief constable praised us for Gwent’s crime figures, but said we could do better. She then announced that she was going to put more officers on the street, but that police staff would go.
“She did not follow the force’s procedure for consultation and negotiation. She just announced it.”
NEC member Ms Sweet acknowledged that there would have to be some cuts in Gwent, but added: “We are now fairly confident that we will be properly consulted, as we should have been in the first place.”
