45 officers suspended by police in three years

Mar 14 2008 by Matthew Aplin, South Wales Echo

ASSAULT, fraud, theft and deception.

These are just some of the offences suspended South Wales police officers have been accused of in the past three years.

Information released to the Echo under the Freedom of Information Act, revealed that 45 officers have been suspended since 2005 with 11 resigning and two being dismissed.

A further eight were found not guilty of any wrongdoing.

According to the figures released, suspended officers have been accused of a total of 15 separate offences.

Of the most serious offences:

Twelve were suspended for assault.

Nine were suspended for excess alcohol.

One was suspended for fraud.

Four were suspended for corrupt practice.

One officer has been suspended for three years and one month although South Wales Police did not disclose what the officer had been suspended for.

Neither did the force disclos how much taxpayer’s money was spent on paying police officers while they were under suspension.

Steven Usher, 25, a student from St Nicholas, Vale of Glamorgan, said he was shocked by the seriousness of some of the offences.

He said: “These are the people who we are meant to be keeping the streets safe. They should know better. Police officers should be setting an example to all of us.”

Terry Phillips, 63, retired, of Pontcanna, Cardiff, said the police force was already over-stretched.

He said: “The problem is that even one officer being suspended puts an extra strain on the force and the community. We have our own problems in the community and we need to work together with officers. Police officers are supposed to be pillars of society.”

A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said the suspension of a police officer was a serious matter for the organisation and the individual.

A spokeswoman said: “There are strict criteria when considering suspension and steps are taken to ensure that the confidence and trust of the public in their policing service is maintained.

“Where officers are suspended, it will involve issues of suspected criminal acts, gross misconduct or any behaviour likely to bring the reputation of the force into disrepute.

“Consideration is always given to alternative deployment pending the resolution of the matters giving rise to concern and while the officer is suspended, their suspension is constantly reviewed by the chief officer responsible for professional standards.”

matthew.aplin@mediawales.co.uk