DYFED-POWYS Police Chief Constable Mark Collins has paid tribute to his predecessor who has died.
The death of Simon Prince, who led the Dyfed-Powys force for three years, was confirmed yesterday.
Chief Constable Mark Collins said: “It is with great sadness that we receive the news of Mr Simon Prince’s death."
He retired as the Chief Constable in summer 2016 and when he was appointed, in March 2013, he became the first chief officer in Wales to have been appointed by the then newly created, directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners. He was 47 at the time and had been previously been assistant chief constable of Gwent Police.
He had served in the neighbouring force for 22 years and lived in the Brecon area.
His successor, Mr Collins, said: "Mr Prince served with Dyfed-Powys as Chief Constable between 2013 and 2016 having previously served for 22 years with Gwent Police.
"Mr Prince was a well-respected, fair and supportive Chief Constable who led the force through some significant changes and maintained the forces position as one of the safest places in England and Wales.
"I will be writing to Mr Prince’s family to send them condolences on behalf of Dyfed-Powys Police and the force flag at Headquarters is being flown at half-mast in remembrance of Mr Prince."
Mr Prince announced his retirement in early 2016, he said, because he wanted to make candidates in that year’s police and crime commissioner elections aware their would be change in leadership within the force.
At the time of his retirement a press release issued by the force said: "Mr Prince said it had always been his intention to retire at 50 but he had ’worked a little bit beyond that to take us up to this point’."