Around 30 Hampshire And Isle Of Wight Police Officers Suspended Or On Restricted Duties

Between 25 and 30 Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary officers are typically suspended or on restricted duties while under investigation, according to the region's Police and Crime Commissioner.

Donna Jones revealed the figures during a meeting of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Panel on Wednesday, in response to a question from Eastleigh Borough councillor Tonia Craig.

The PCC said she receives monthly updates from the force's Professional Standards Department on officers under investigation and pays particular attention to cases lasting more than 12 months.

She said:

"I have a monthly meeting with the detective police superintendent who is the head of our police standards department who briefs me on officers under investigation, what they're under investigation for and then the timeliness of them.

"Those that are under investigation for over 12 months are the ones that I'm particularly looking at – also if we're still paying their salary.

"Some of them will be suspended, some on restricted duties – so they can't have any contact with the public, but they can still do desk-based jobs.

"In terms of officers under investigation, particularly those that are suspended or on directed duties – the kind that are probably the most serious – it's normally somewhere between 25 and 30.

"They drop off and come on each month depending on what's going on."

Ms Jones added that the number of officers under investigation but not suspended or placed on restricted duties was "probably double" that figure.

She said some investigations are completed within weeks, while more complex cases, including those handled by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), can take much longer.

The comments came a week after the IOPC announced that two Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary officers are under investigation for potential gross misconduct following the death of Henry Nowak.

Speaking during the meeting, Councillor Tonia Craig said there was a need to ensure investigations are completed as quickly as possible to maintain public confidence in policing.