By Nick Griffiths Crime Reporter

Last updated at 13:30, Tuesday, 25 September 2012

A national watchdog is poised to consider this week whether to take on the investigation into allegations of serious misconduct by Cumbria’s chief constable.

Stuart Hyde

Officials from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) were sent to look at the case after Stuart Hyde was suspended from his role as the county’s most senior officer.

A report will be compiled on the investigators’ assessment of the allegations before a decision is taken if the IPCC will conduct a probe. If the IPCC decides it should not 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 it should be referred to internal investigators in the police force.

A spokesman confirmed to the News & Star that investigators had been in Cumbria and the next stage would involve going over their report.

Mr Hyde was suspended from duty by Cumbria Police Authority nearly two weeks ago.

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, 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.

Mr Hyde said in his statement he would co-operate fully with any investigation.

The suspended chief joined Cumbria Constabulary as deputy chief constable in May 2009 and was in January given the top role in Cumbria on a temporary basis until August 2013. No permanent appointment was made because the Government wants incoming crime commissioners, due to be elected in November, to be able to decide on their own chief constables.

First published at 11:27, Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk