A chief constable and his deputy were arrested today by detectives investigating allegations of corruption.
Chief Constable Sean Price and Deputy Chief Constable Derek Bonnard of Cleveland Police were held in a probe centred on allegations of misconduct, abuse of position and corrupt practice.
They were this afternoon being questioned by officers from Warwickshire police, led by its Chief Constable Keith Bristow.
Chief Constable of Cleveland Police Sean Price in happier times…
A third woman, not believed to be a police officer, has also been arrested.
Warwickshire Police said: ‘Police officers conducting a criminal investigation into a number of people with current or past associations with Cleveland Police Authority and the manner in which the authority may have conducted some of its business have this morning arrested three people on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, fraud by abuse of position and corrupt practice.
‘Two men and a woman were arrested and have been taken to a police station in North Yorkshire where they will be interviewed later today.
‘A number of premises are being searched in connection with these arrests. No further information is available at this time.’
Warwickshire Police were brought in to oversee a wide-ranging corruption investigation in May after allegations were made against present and former members of Cleveland Police Authority.
Cleveland police: Sean Price (left) and deputy Derek Bonnard have both been arrested in a corruption probe
They are being assisted by senior officers at North Yorkshire Police.
The Cleveland authority polices the districts of Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton and Middlesbrough.
A spokesman for the Independent Police Complaints Commission said the IPCC was not involved in the investigation but had been informed of the arrests this morning.
He said: ‘We have been informed of developments. The IPCC will become involved should any matters be referred to us by the police authority.’
Cleveland Police and North Yorkshire Police had no comment to make and a spokesman for the Home Office said it was aware of the arrests.
Funny old t’do eh?
All very interesting…
