Suspended West Mercia police officers paid more than £300,000

Fifteen police constables, two special constables and one sergeant were suspended on full pay over the past four financial years and received a collective £308,360.84, a Freedom of Information request to the force has revealed.

The suspensions were for a range of reasons, including discreditable conduct, honesty and integrity, use of force, and also the improper disclosure of information.

The outcomes of the suspensions were eight dismissals, one final written warning, four officers retired or resigned and five of the suspensions are live.

The longest suspension during the four-year period was 459 days. A police constable was suspended for discreditable conduct and confidentiality. The officer, who was later dismissed, was paid £45,045.89 during the suspension.

Deputy Chief Constable of West Mercia Police Amanda Blakeman said officers were only suspended when a serious complaint had been received.

She said: "The decision to suspend an officer is not one we take lightly. It is used only where a serious complaint has been received.

"Prior to the decision we consider a number of factors, with our overriding consideration being to ensure an impartial and transparent investigative process, as we are sure the public would expect.

"I do recognise that on occasions officers may be suspended for a significant length of time. However, this is generally a reflection on the complexity and the severity of the allegation made.

"To reassure the public that West Mercia Police takes all allegations of misconduct extremely seriously, misconduct hearings are held publicly, and we proactively publicise dismissals by issuing a media release on our website and via social media.

"The outcomes of misconduct proceedings are also published quarterly on our website."