Draft:Ian Johnston (police chief)

Ian Johnston QPM (6 June 1952-15 February 2023) was a Welsh police officer in Gwent Constabulary from 1970 to 2010. He then became the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent from November 2012 to May 2016, succeeded by Jeff Cuthbert.

Police career
Johnston joined the Gwent Constabulary in 1970 following service as a Police Cadet. Following Service in uniform he became a detective at Abertillery. As a Sergeant he served in the training department and as an Inspector he became the staff officer to the Chief Constable John E. Over. Johnston returned to the CID on promotion to Chief Inspector and then as a Superintendent he was seconded to the Police Requirements Support Unit at the Home Office. Johnston returned to Gwent as a Detective Superintendent prior to his promotion to Detective Chief Superintendent in charge of the force’s CID.

In 2007, Johnston was elected as the President of the Police Superintendents' Association ( England and Wales ) where he was credited with developing diversity within the Superintending ranks and with negotiating improved pay and conditions for police officers as a member of ‘Staff Side ‘of the Police Negotiation Board. Johnston retired from the Police Service in 2010.

He was succeeded to the position of president of the PSA by Chief Superintendent Derek Barnett OBE.

Post retirement
After retiring from the police service, Johnston started a consultancy business which ran from 2010-2012.

He was elected as the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent in November 2012. He stood as an independent candidate.

During his time in office, Johnston reopened several police stations improving public access to the Police in Gwent.

He also launched the force’s Victims Charter. He led for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) on the ‘Official Side’ of the Police Negotiation Board to introduce improvements in the pay and conditions of service for Police Officers.

Johnston retired as Police and Crime Commissioner on 7 May 2016. Following his retirement as Gwent’s PCC, Johnston became the Chair of his local and regional Crime Stoppers Charity.

Personal life
Ian Johnston was born and raised in Gwent. He was educated at Pontllanfraith Grammar School.

Johnston married his wife, Janet, in 1972. They had three children.

Honours
Johnston was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the Birthday honours in 2003 in recognition of his distinguished services to Policing.

Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

Queen Elizabeth 2nd Golden Jubilee Medal 2002

Queen Elizabeth 2nd Diamond Jubilee Medal 2012