POLICE officers have spoken of their sadness at losing a “true gentleman” and an “exceptional police officer”.

It comes amid an outpouring of tributes to former Conservative councillor and the last chairman of the Cumbria Police Authority, Ray Cole, who is understood to have passed away yesterday morning.

Mr Cole joined Cumbria Constabulary in November 1964, based in the south of the county as a police constable on traffic at Ulverston. He retired as the Inspector for Millom in February 1996.

Cumbria Constabulary’s chief constable, Jerry Graham, said: “All those who had the privilege of working alongside Ray and who received his wise counsel will remember him fondly as a man of great integrity and a true gentleman.

“He was a great supporter and friend to Cumbria Constabulary and he will be missed dearly. Our thoughts go out to his wife and family at this difficult time.”

Mr Cole joined the police authority in June 2005 and became chair in June 2010, playing a pivotal role in overseeing policing in the county before the introduction of police and crime commissioners (PCCs).

Cumbria’s PCC, Peter McCall, said: “I’m truly saddened to hear of Ray’s death. As the former distinguished chair of Cumbria Police Authority and an exceptional police officer, as well as in his councillor roles, Ray was a dedicated public servant. He will be remembered as a true gentleman, caring, professional and greatly respected by all those who knew him.

“Ray made a significant contribution to Cumbria Police Authority, and especially during his chairmanship when Cumbria Police faced many difficult challenges. He is a man of integrity, who gave so much to Cumbria and will be sadly missed, and my thoughts and condolences are with his family.”

Not just a pillar of the policing community, Mr Cole was also well known for having a huge input in local politics. Mr Cole represented the Newtown ward on Copeland Borough Council from 2003 until 2011, and was re-elected in May 2015. He also served his community on Millom Town Council.

Millom mayor, councillor Doug Wilson, said: “He was the type of councillor that we all aspire to. He was a very fair man.

“I admired him for the way he could put his thoughts into words and above all he was a man of integrity. He has always been very supportive of me and I feel a sense of personal loss.

“He was always a big help and guidance with words of advice. He kept me on the straight and narrow many times. He was a pillar of the church as well.”

Cllr Wilson also praised Mr Cole’s work as a warden for St George's church in Millom, and added: “He actually helped, along with my wife, to introduce the Christmas tree festival into Millom. He was one of the forerunners.”

The elected mayor of Copeland, Mike Starkie, added his condolences, paying tribute to Mr Cole’s hard work on a number of committees including licensing, taxi and general licensing, the overview and scrutiny committee and the appeals panel.

Cllr Starkie said: “It is incredibly sad to hear the news of Ray’s death. He was a long-serving and dedicated councillor, and Millom was a better place due to his hard work.

“He was widely respected in the council – and within his home town – and his lifetime of commitment to his community will always be remembered. My thoughts go out to Ray’s family at this sad time.”

Also among Mr Cole’s incredible contributions to his community was his role serving as being a director of South Copeland Tourism. He was extremely well-known across the borough and there has been an out-pouring of well-wishers coming forward to pay their respects since news emerged of his death.

Tributes were last night led by Conservative candidate for the May 2017 elections, Chris Whiteside.

Mr Whiteside said: “Ray was a really great guy, a man of enormous integrity and one of the nicest people I ever met.

“Before becoming involved in politics he had been a police officer and I understand he had been the police inspector in charge of Millom and South Copeland.

“Ray served as a Millom Town Councillor, and as a Copeland Borough Councillor, and represented Newtown ward on both those authorities at the time of his death. He had also previously been County Councillor for Millom and Haverigg (the ward boundaries have since changed.)

“My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Nadine and their family. Millom, Copeland, and Cumbria have lost a great servant.”