By Nick Griffiths Crime Reporter

Last updated at 14:48, Saturday, 06 October 2012

Investigators have finished assessing allegations of serious misconduct by Cumbria’s suspended chief constable.

Stuart Hyde

Senior officials at the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) are now weighing up what happens next – three weeks on from the suspension of Stuart Hyde from his role as the county’s most senior officer.

The national watchdog has to decide whether to take on the investigation into the allegations.

If the IPCC decides not to investigate the matter it would be handed back to Cumbria Police Authority, which oversees the running of the county force. It would then decide if the matter should be referred to internal investigators in the police.

An IPCC spokesman told the News & Star: “The assessment is now concluded.”

Mr Hyde was suspended from duty by Cumbria Police Authority last month.

It said it acted “following a number of allegations of serious misconduct, which may indicate there has been a breach in the standards of professional behaviour”.

In a statement issued after his suspension, Mr Hyde said he had been proud to serve the people of Cumbria and wished to continue in the job, adding he was “devastated” when told about the allegations.

The precise nature of the allegations has not been revealed but it is understood they have come from two senior officers.

Bernard Lawson, deputy chief constable of Merseyside Police, has taken over as chief constable temporarily.

First published at 12:39, Saturday, 06 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk