Ronald Gregory

Ronald Gregory
Gregory in 1980
Born23 October 1921
Died9 April 2010(2010-04-09) (aged 88)
Police career
Force
Service years1941–1983
RankChief Constable
Military career
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Years of service1942–1944 (RAFVR)
1944–1946 (RNVR)
RankFlying officer
Sub-lieutenant
UnitFleet Air Arm
Battles/warsSecond World War

Ronald Gregory, CBE, QPM, DL (23 October 1921 – 9 April 2010), was a British police officer who served as chief constable of West Yorkshire Constabulary and then West Yorkshire Police from 1969 to 1983. He was head of the police force during its five-year manhunt for the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe.

Having been born in Preston, Lancashire, Gregory served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. Having returned to civilian life in 1946, he served as a police officer and detective in his home town of Preston. In 1962 or 1963, he was appointed deputy chief constable of Blackpool. He was then chief constable of Plymouth City Police before becoming deputy chief constable of the newly created Devon and Cornwall Police. In 1969, he became chief constable of West Yorkshire Constabulary, where he would spend the rest of his career.