Gloucestershire Police chief leaves post over police reforms

Chief Constable Tony Melville said he did not agree with the new police and crime commissioner position

The Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police is spending his last day with the force.

Tony Melville resigned from the position in April citing "grave concerns" at new government plans to appoint police and crime commissioners.

At the time he said he believed that policing needed to change, but he did not agree with some elements of the current police reform agenda.

Deputy Chief Constable Mick Matthews will take on the role for 18 months.

Mr Melville began work in Gloucestershire in January 2010 and has served in the police force for 34 years.

During his two years as Chief Constable, he has overseen £18m of cuts to his force, the closure of 19 police stations and a reduction of 200 police officers.