A COUNCILLOR is to stand down today as chairman of Northumbria Police Authority.
Councillor George Gill, who has led the police authority since joining it in 1985, will be retiring from Gateshead Borough Council at May's local government elections because he has reached the age of 65.
He has chosen to stand down from the police authority now to allow a new chairman to be appointed before the start of the new financial year.
Coun Gill said: "Serving as chairman of the police authority has been a richly rewarding experience, and I have been proud to support and be associated with such an innovative force."
During his 17 years as chairman, Coun Gill has seen the Northumbria Police area change from one afflicted by street riots and branded as the car crime capital of Britain, to one which has earned national recognition for its continuing record of crime reduction.
Sir John Stevens, Metropolitan Police Commissioner and former Chief Constable of Northumbria, said: "I cannot think of any other individual who has so unselfishly given themselves to the service of the local community."
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