Bully claim cop quits force; Suicide bid officer brings 30-year career to a close.

Byline: CARL BUTLER

NORTH Wales' deputy chief constable is to retire -- ending an investigation into claims he bullied women.

Bill Brereton, 48, an officer for more than 30 years, was on sick leave following a suicide attempt last September.

The investigation into allegations he bullied and harassed female members of staff at Colwyn Bay Police HQ will now be dropped.

Last night North Wales Police Authority chairman Malcolm King said: ``At its meeting today the authority accepted DCC Bill Brereton's request to retire.

``At the same meeting the authority determined that a line should be drawn under the complaints. ''

Mr Brereton has faced traumatic personal upheavals, including the tragic death in 2001 of his daughter Jenny, 20, in a motorcycling accident.

A controversial inquiry into a mole was sparked by the leaking of authority documents, revealing complaints against Mr Brereton and suggesting an outside senior officer should be brought in to investigate.

Mr Brereton's wife Jacqui, who lives at the family home on the Wirral, made a formal complaint against North Wales chief constable Richard Brunstrom over the leak. Even her confidential letter complaining about the initial leak was itself leaked to a newspaper.

The hunt by North Wales police for the mole is continuing.

Warwickshire deputy chief constable Roger Aldridge was carrying out the disciplinary inquiry, which stalled because he was unable to interview Mr Brereton while he was on sick leave.

Warwickshire police said they were referring inquiries to North Wales Police, but confirmed the investigation was now concluded.

Last night Mr Brereton said: ``I can confirm the statement by North Wales Police Authority and I appreciate the kind sentiments expressed. As matters are on-going it would be inappropriate for me or my wife, on legal advice, to comment any further at this stage. ''

Mr Brereton said during his 30 years police service he had enjoyed a good working relationship with the ``vast majority'' of his colleagues, formed many lasting friendships and contributed to the policing of the areas where he had been based.

He also confirmed the disciplinary inquiry was concluded.

Mr King said: ``DCC Brereton leaves after 30 years in the police service, during which time he dedicated himself to serving and protecting the communities in which he worked. ''

In an interview with the Daily Post in March, Mrs Brereton told how her husband had had an affair, and was living away from home, but they were trying to rebuild a relationship.

She said her husband had been recovering from his depression brought on by his daughter's death, when ``totally out of the blue'' he received a visit from chief constable Richard Brunstrom on December 27 -- three months after the suicide bid.

She said Mr Brunstrom told her husband of allegations of bullying against him by three female members of staff which ``literally knocked the stuffing out of him and myself. ''

She alleged that Mr Brunstrom had been keen for Mr Brereton to retire.

CAPTION(S):

Bill Brereton, the deputy chief constable of North Wales, who has announced his retirement