David East
Encyclopedia
David East QPM
is a retired British police officer who served as Chief Constable
of South Wales Police
, and was also Secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union
.
, Wales, East made his way through the police force, becoming Deputy Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, where in 1979 he co-founded the force rugby club.
, East was Chief Constable of South Wales Police. Much as though the area was a key coal production area, East's careful policing meant that the area suffered few of the industrial relations problems associated with others areas of the British Isles. One of the key decisions East made was to address the problem of transporting coal from Llanwern
to Port Talbot
as a transport issue, running daily convoy's of 140 trucks escorted by police cars and motorcycle outriders - none were stopped, and because East refused to use riot gear clothed police, none were attacked.
East was also the Chief Constable in charge of investigation of the most serious incident during the Miners Strike. On November 30, 1984, a concrete block was dropped on the car of taxi driver and father of four David Wilkie
, killing him instantly. Political leaders united in condemning the killing - Labour's Neil Kinnock
called it an "atrocity" and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
said it was "an utterly despicable deed". A court in Cardiff convicted 21 year old miners Dean Hancock and Russell Shanklin of Wilkie's murder, later reduced on appeal to manslaughter
. After a fierce campaign for their release led by the NUM's Arthur Scargill
and Labour MP Tony Benn
, the men were released on 30 November 1989 - the fifth anniversary of David Wilkie's death.
in the early 1990s, but only survived in the post for six months, resigning after the boards decision to let an invitational Wales team tour South Africa
.
East would later pit himself forward for a number of committee and managing roles within the WRU, laterly beaten to the role of President of the WRU by Keith Rowlands
to succeed Sir Tasker Watkins
in August 2004, after which he resigned from all positions he held with the WRU.
. East is involved with both the Bridgend Male Voice Choir, and the Llantwit Major Rugby Club.
Queen's Police Medal
The Queen's Police Medal is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for gallantry or distinguished service. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters "QPM", although the right to use these was only granted officially on 20 July 1969...
is a retired British police officer who served as Chief Constable
Chief Constable
Chief constable is the rank used by the chief police officer of every territorial police force in the United Kingdom except for the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police, as well as the chief officers of the three 'special' national police forces, the British Transport Police, Ministry...
of South Wales Police
South Wales Police
South Wales Police is one of the four territorial police forces in Wales. Its headquarters are based in Bridgend.Covering Wales' capital city, Cardiff, as well as Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea, and the western South Wales Valleys, it is the largest police force in Wales in terms of population,...
, and was also Secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union
Welsh Rugby Union
The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the...
.
Pre-South Wales
Born in LlanelliLlanelli
Llanelli , the largest town in both the county of Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed , Wales, sits on the Loughor estuary on the West Wales coast, approximately west-north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carmarthen. The town is famous for its proud rugby...
, Wales, East made his way through the police force, becoming Deputy Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, where in 1979 he co-founded the force rugby club.
South Wales Police
East was appointed Chief Constable of South Wales Police in 1983. During the UK miners' strike (1984–1985)UK miners' strike (1984–1985)
The UK miners' strike was a major industrial action affecting the British coal industry. It was a defining moment in British industrial relations, and its defeat significantly weakened the British trades union movement...
, East was Chief Constable of South Wales Police. Much as though the area was a key coal production area, East's careful policing meant that the area suffered few of the industrial relations problems associated with others areas of the British Isles. One of the key decisions East made was to address the problem of transporting coal from Llanwern
Llanwern
Llanwern is an electoral ward and community in the urban-rural fringe of the City of Newport, South Wales. Llanwern ward is bounded by the M4 and Langstone to the north, Ringland, Liswerry and the River Usk to the west, the River Severn to the south and the city boundary to the east...
to Port Talbot
Port Talbot
Port Talbot is a town in Neath Port Talbot, Wales. It had a population of 35,633 in 2001.-History:Port Talbot grew out of the original small port and market town of Aberafan , which belonged to the medieval Lords of Afan. The area of the parish of Margam lying on the west bank of the lower Afan...
as a transport issue, running daily convoy's of 140 trucks escorted by police cars and motorcycle outriders - none were stopped, and because East refused to use riot gear clothed police, none were attacked.
East was also the Chief Constable in charge of investigation of the most serious incident during the Miners Strike. On November 30, 1984, a concrete block was dropped on the car of taxi driver and father of four David Wilkie
Killing of David Wilkie
David Wilkie was killed during the miners' strike in the United Kingdom, when two striking miners dropped a concrete block from a footbridge onto his taxi whilst driving a strike breaking miner to his workplace. The attack caused a widespread revulsion at the extent of violence in the dispute...
, killing him instantly. Political leaders united in condemning the killing - Labour's Neil Kinnock
Neil Kinnock
Neil Gordon Kinnock, Baron Kinnock is a Welsh politician belonging to the Labour Party. He served as a Member of Parliament from 1970 until 1995 and as Labour Leader and Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition from 1983 until 1992 - his leadership of the party during nearly nine years making him...
called it an "atrocity" and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
said it was "an utterly despicable deed". A court in Cardiff convicted 21 year old miners Dean Hancock and Russell Shanklin of Wilkie's murder, later reduced on appeal to manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
. After a fierce campaign for their release led by the NUM's Arthur Scargill
Arthur Scargill
Arthur Scargill is a British politician who was President of the National Union of Mineworkers from 1982 to 2002, leading the union through the 1984–85 miners' strike, a key event in British labour and political history...
and Labour MP Tony Benn
Tony Benn
Anthony Neil Wedgwood "Tony" Benn, PC is a British Labour Party politician and a former MP and Cabinet Minister.His successful campaign to renounce his hereditary peerage was instrumental in the creation of the Peerage Act 1963...
, the men were released on 30 November 1989 - the fifth anniversary of David Wilkie's death.
Welsh Rugby Union
East became Secretary to the Welsh Rugby UnionWelsh Rugby Union
The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the...
in the early 1990s, but only survived in the post for six months, resigning after the boards decision to let an invitational Wales team tour South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
East would later pit himself forward for a number of committee and managing roles within the WRU, laterly beaten to the role of President of the WRU by Keith Rowlands
Keith Rowlands
Keith Alun Rowlands , was a Welsh international lock rugby union player, later administrator who was the first Chief Executive Officer of the International Rugby Board.-Playing career:...
to succeed Sir Tasker Watkins
Tasker Watkins
The Rt Hon Sir Tasker Watkins VC GBE PC was a Lord Justice of Appeal and deputy Lord Chief Justice...
in August 2004, after which he resigned from all positions he held with the WRU.
Other activities
East and his wife Gloria live at Ogmore-by-SeaOgmore-by-Sea
Ogmore-by-Sea is a seaside village in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. It lies on the western limit of the Glamorgan Heritage Coastline of south Wales....
. East is involved with both the Bridgend Male Voice Choir, and the Llantwit Major Rugby Club.