Smith leads tributes to fallen police chief

Wednesday, 12 March 2008 12:00 AM

The death of Greater Manchester police's Chief Constable Michael Todd has prompted a flood of tributes from across the political spectrum.

Although awaiting formal identification police are confident the body of a man found on Bwlch Glas, a mountain in Snowdonia, yesterday is that of Ch Const Todd. He had gone missing while out walking in north Wales on Monday.

Home secretary Jacqui Smith said Ch Const Todd had "contributed greatly to the fight against crime and terrorism", acknowledging his "long and distinguished career".

He had been a police officer for over 30 years since joining Essex police in 1976 and was appointed to his current role in 2002.

Shadow home secretary David Davis said he was "shocked and saddened" by the news.

"He made an important contribution to policing in Greater Manchester and the other forces he served with," Mr Davis said.

"He also gave distinguished service at a national level, in particular in the fight against terrorism, where he always gave frank and thoughtful advice."

Ch Const Todd had been looked upon as a possible successor of Sir Ian Blair as head of the Metropolitan police, a possibility alluded to by Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Chris Huhne.

Mr Huhne said Ch Const Todd "would have continued to make a great contribution to the fight against crime and terrorism".

He added: "His death is a great loss to policing in this country, and I offer all my sympathy to his family and friends."

Ch Const Todd acted as vice president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) where he advanced many of its initiatives on national policing.

President Ken Jones said Acpo had received a "huge volume of calls" from policing colleagues and those in government over the "awful prospect" of Ch Const Todd's death.

"The news of his apparent death is a tragedy and he will be greatly missed by chief officer colleagues and all who worked with him during his career," he finished.

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• crime
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• domestic policy
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• policing and crime