Ian Brian Johnston

Ian Brian Johnston (6 June 1952 – 15 February 2023) was the Independent Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner. He was the first person to hold the post and was elected on 15 November 2012. He did not seek re-election in 2016.

Background Johnston was born on 6 June 1952 in Gwent where he was brought up. He was educated at Pontllanfraith Grammar School. He often described himself as having been "born and bred in the County of Gwent".

He later served as President of the Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales from 2007 to 2010.

Following his retirement as Gwent's PCC, Johnston became the Chair of his local and regional Crime Stoppers Charity.

Personal life Johnston married Janet in 1972 and they have three children: Hayley, Mark and Peter.

Johnston was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the 2003 Birthday Honours in recognition of his distinguished services to policing.

Controversy over resignation of Chief Constable In June 2013 Johnston was criticised by local MPs Wayne David and Paul Flynn for his actions in causing the resignation of the Chief Constable of Gwent Police, Carmel Napier. Johnston criticised Napier's management style, saying that their relationship "was never going to work," and confirmed that he had told her to either retire or "be removed." Johnston and Napier both later gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee, which discussed the circumstances of her retirement. The Select Committee report criticised Johnston's "disdainful attitude towards scrutiny by Parliament, as well as an indication of a clear over-sensitivity to criticism". It said that Johnston had been elected by less than 8% of the local electorate, and "had managed to side-step the statutory arrangements for local scrutiny of his decision to sack the chief constable".