West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn has been praised for the strength and leadership he has brought to bear during his four years in charge of the county's police force.
Mr Cramphorn, who yesterday announced his retirement due to ill health, has spoken of the pride he has taken in his job.
He was diagnosed with prostate cancer more than two years ago. Although he has continued to work through his illness at a time when West Yorkshire has been in the spotlight - particularly in the aftermath of the death of Keighley PC Sharon Beshenivsky and the revelation that the 7/7 London bombers were from the area - he has now decided to step down.
In a statement announcing his decision, he said: "I have been entirely open about my condition, which, though never curable, has been controlled by a variety of treatments to a greater or lesser extent. During this time my health has been subject to regular medical review and I have continued to carry out my full responsibilities as Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police.
"It is, however, possible to medically predict that at some stage in the foreseeable future it will become increasingly difficult to discharge my full responsibilities as Chief Constable. Therefore, after four challenging and rewarding years as Head of West Yorkshire Police, I have decided to retire."
Mr Cramphorn said he had begun working with West Yorkshire Police Authority to appoint a successor and said an appointment would be made by the end of the year.
He also said he had drawn strength from the support he had received from members of the public.
"Whilst my family has provided my greatest strength during the last two years, like many others living with cancer I have found much to be inspired by from your letters and support since my condition was first diagnosed," he said.
"I have been proud to be the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police and much of that comes from the remarkable resilience, dedication and decency of the people who make up the service and the wider community.
"I thank you for your continued best wishes."
A police spokesman said the Chief Constable had been a comforting influence during the aftermath of the shooting of PC Beshenivsky. He said: "He came to Bradford immediately and was concerned about the welfare of the officers."
Councillor Clive Richardson (Con, Allerton and Thornton), vice-chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Authority (WYPA), fought back the tears as he spoke of the Chief Constable's retirement.
He said: " It is a sad day for West Yorkshire and for him.
"He has been a remarkable Chief Constable and it is recognised that West York-shire was the most improved force in the country last year.
"He has made the force come together and gel. He is a superb man."
Leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Kris Hopkins, said: "Colin's commitment to West York-shire and particularly to Bradford has been outstanding. I know that many people from across the community will sadly miss his input."
Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson, chairman of WYPA, said: "Colin has made an outstanding contribution as Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police in the last four years and has tremendous respect from those who know him closely.
"He has provided strength and leadership through personal adversity and some of our most testing times in recent history, at the same time driving through changes to make West Yorkshire one of the best performing forces in the country.
"Colin has built relationships across the community, offering many people reassurance and confidence and providing a voice for some in our community, for the first time."
e-mail: saima.mir @bradford.newsquest.co.uk
A CAREER PATH TO HIGH ACHIEVEMENT
Colin Cramphorn took up his position as Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police in 2002. He came to the county from the Police Service of Northern Ireland where he was Deputy Chief Constable.
Educated at Strodes Grammar School, Egham, he joined the Surrey Constabulary in 1975, serving in uniform and with CID posts before joining the Accelerated Promotion Course at the Police Staff College, Bramshill. The married father-of-two went on to read law and theology at King's College, London. He also has an MSc in Human Resource Management from the University of Salford. He has served with Greater Manchester Police and West Mercia Constabulary. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce and of the Chartered Management Institute, a member of the Institute of Business Ethics, the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies and an Associate of St George's House Windsor.
He is also a patron of the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and a member of the Council of the Order of St John, South and West Yorkshire.
In the Queen's New Years Honours List of 2004, Colin was awarded the QPM, and in the autumn of 2005 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Bradford University.
