Police chief says continued suspension is "disappointing"
Last updated at 14:48, Thursday, 08 November 2012
CUMBRIA'S temporary chief constable has spoken out for the first time about his suspension as South Wales' chief constable is appointed to lead an investigation into allegations of "heavy-handedness".
Stuart Hyde was suspended in September over complaints about his “management style” and “heavy-handedness” but the Independent Police Complaints Commission said the allegations “do not amount to serious misconduct” and were “based on unsupported suspicion”.
Cumbria Police Authority said it would ask another chief constable to investigate further and has now appointed Peter Vaughan, chief constable of South Wales Police.
A statement from Cumbria Police Authority said: “Following its meeting on October 9, Cumbria Police Authority liaised with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and as a result the chief constable of South Wales police is leading the investigation in to the allegations made about the standards of Stuart Hyde’s professional behaviour in his activities as temporary chief constable.
"The authority takes all allegations against any police officer seriously and must address these allegations in an appropriate manner. Temporary chief constable Hyde remains suspended and this will continue to be regularly reviewed.
“Suspension is a neutral act that will enable a full and thorough investigation to take place.”
On his blog, www.stuhyde.com, Mr Hyde said: “The IPCC has concluded that there was no evidence of serious misconduct requiring further investigation by them, Cumbria Police Authority, however, decided to investigate some matters further.
"Since then I have co-operated fully and voluntarily submitted more information to them. I am disappointed that my suspension continues.
I look forward to the investigation concluding and I remain absolutely committed to return to my role as Chief Constable and to serving Cumbria."
Deputy chief constable Bernard Lawson, from Merseyside police, will continue to undertake Mr Hyde’s role temporarily.
First published at 13:28, Thursday, 08 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Have your say
In The House of Lords, in May 2012 Lord Laird suggested the Home Affairs Committee should investigate systemic corruption in South Wales Police Would have thought the Chief Constable of South Wales had pleanty to sort out on his own patch
Posted by G Jones on 9 November 2012 at 13:24