Assistant Chief Officer Ann Hall, who is responsible for finance and commissioning for Cleveland Police, is being investigated over unauthorised payments to an executive coaching company, the police watchdog said.
Her suspension follows the sacking last year of the force’s Chief Constable Sean Price, allegations against his deputy Derek Bonnard, and a long-running criminal investigation into alleged corruption at the police authority.
Cindy Butts, of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, admitted that, given the force’s recent history, “news of this investigation may cause some concern among the public”.
Mrs Hall, a member of the Association of Chief Police Officers, was born in North Lanarkshire and became the force’s executive director of finance nine years ago.
A force spokesman said: “It should be emphasised that suspension is a neutral act and it should not be inferred from the decision to suspend that any potential misconduct matters have been proven.”
Barry Coppinger, Cleveland’s police and crime commissioner, said he wanted to see the watchdog’s investigation completed “as swiftly and thoroughly as is possible”.
Ministers told the Commons in February that a new “code of ethics” will require every officer to demonstrate “honesty and truthfulness” in the wake of growing concerns over police corruption.
Mr Price became the first chief constable to be sacked in 35 years when a disciplinary panel found he had lied about his role in the recruitment of the former police authority chairman’s daughter. It also found he directed a member of staff to lie about it.
Mr Bonnard faces a four week disciplinary hearing into alleged misconduct and is suspended from his role of Deputy Chief Constable.
Police finance chief suspended
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