Head of Safer South Gloucestershire retires - 23 April 2008
John Kelly, head of Safer South Gloucestershire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership, is retiring on Friday 25 April after a public service career spanning 41 years.
John joined the Bristol Police force in 1967, which was later to become part of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary. He held a variety of senior posts during his 31 years service including District Commander in North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
He made his move to South Gloucestershire Council when he retired from the police service in 1998, and became responsible for bringing together all the relevant agencies to help tackle crime and improve community safety in the district, through establishing a number of partnership and operational groups in the area.
John played an instrumental role in setting up Safer South Gloucestershire and developing the first community safety groups in priority areas. This work allowed the police, the council, Avon Fire & Rescue Service and other key agencies to consult and work with local people to find solutions to local problems. As a result there are now 20 Safer and Stronger Community Groups across the area.
Within Safer South Gloucestershire John has had overall responsibility for a wide range of important areas including community safety, reducing anti-social behaviour, domestic violence, sexual violence and hate crime, as well as delivering all drug and alcohol treatment services. He has also helped develop the Safer and Stronger block of the South Gloucestershire Local Area Agreement with central Government.
John is held in high esteem by senior officers in the police, fire and rescue service, primary care trust, criminal justice agencies and the council; and is well respected by councillors and members of the local community.
Amanda Deeks, Chief Executive of South Gloucestershire Council, said: "South Gloucestershire and the communities it serves have benefited enormously from John Kelly's wealth of experience in the police. As head of Safer South Gloucestershire, he has built solid foundations for tackling issues that really matter, such as anti-social behaviour, domestic violence and hate crime.
"John's professionalism, hard work and dedication will be missed. He has established a first class team in South Gloucestershire which will ensure that our services continue to go from strength to strength. We wish him all the best for his retirement."
Reflecting on his career of four decades, John said: "It's been a remarkable journey in terms of tackling crime and disorder from the late '60s right up until my last day.
"I've been fortunate enough to work with many special people who have genuinely made a difference to their communities. I am proud of the fact that Safer South Gloucestershire is recognised as one of the regional leaders in tackling anti-social behaviour and domestic violence and in delivering drug and alcohol treatment services."
Now that he is retiring John hopes to get his golf handicap down, go walking and hopefully get to fulfil a life-long ambition to see Ireland win the rugby grand slam.
ENDS