'Great sadness' as Police, Crime and Victims' Commissioner Ron Hogg dies after Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis

Ron Hogg served as the Police, Crime and Victims' Commissioner for Durham from 2012.

Ron Hogg, 68, was diagnosed earlier this year with Motor Neurone Disease, which has no cure, and died earlier today, Tuesday, December 17.

After he revealed he had the terminal illness, he called for the law to be changed on assisted dying to allow him to end his own life.

Mr Hogg, who studied politics at York University, moved into policing in 1978, having worked as a teacher of history and sociology for five years.

Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner Ron Hogg and then Deputy Chief Constable Jo Farrell - now Chief Constable of Durham - with Sajid Javid, who was Home Secretary during a visit in July last year.

He served for three decades, including time with Durham Constabulary and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), holding the national portfolio for the policing of football.

Mr Hogg became the assistant chief constable of Durham in 1998 and he ended his time as a cop in 2008 as the deputy chief constable of Cleveland.

He went on to work in children’s safeguarding at Sunderland City Council.

In 2012, he was elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham and alongside former chief constable Mike Barton, took an innovative approach to tackling crime, including drug policy, to target organised crime gangs.

His chief executive Steve White, who has been appointed as the acting commissioner, has led the tributes.

Mr White said: “In my 30 years of policing, I have never known of someone so universally liked and respected as Ron was by officers, staff, politicians and officials.

“He will be greatly missed and leaves a lasting legacy.”

The force’s Chief Constable, Jo Farrell, added: “Durham Constabulary and the people of County Durham and Darlington have lost a great colleague and friend.

“Ron was a radical thinker, an inspiring leader and a lifelong public servant who wasn’t afraid to tackle head-on some of the most difficult issues facing society.

“I would like to offer Maureen and the rest of Ron’s family my deepest sympathies and the condolences of everyone at the Durham Constabulary”

Ron’s family will announce the date of the funeral in due course.

They are extremely grateful for the many warm messages Ron received over the past few months, and have asked that no cards or flowers be sent.