Sean Price, the chief constable of Cleveland Police, and Derek Bonnard, the deputy chief constable, were arrested this morning and questioned by detectives.
The inquiry is being conducted after Her Majestey’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) asked Warwickshire police to investigate allegations of corruption at the Cleveland force.
The investigation centres around business practices of the Cleveland Police Authority, the force’s governing body. Contracts awarded by the authority are being scrutinised.
Another allegation is that Mr Price used “undue influence” to get a job for the daughter of Dave McLuckie, the then chairman of the police authority.
That is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and Mr Price refutes the allegation.
It is understood, however, that Mr Price’s arrest does not relate specifically to the awarding of contracts or the allegation that he used his position to get someone a job.
He and his deputy have been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, fraud by abuse of position and corrupt practice.
The arrests of Mr Price and Mr Bonnard are the fourth in the inquiry, which is being overseen by Warwickshire chief constable Keith Bristow but investigated by a team from North Yorkshire police.
A woman was also arrested today. Police are refusing to confirm her identity or her age however it is understood she is a member of police staff.
A man has previously been arrested, It is understood he is not linked to Cleveland Police or the Police authority.
The investigation into the force began two months ago. Within days of its commencement Mr McLuckie resigned.
Following his resignation it emerged that he was also consultant of a heating firm that won an £87,000 contract with Cleveland Police.
Sources confirmed that the awarding of this contract formed part of the police investigation, but it is not linked to this morning’s arrest.
Mr McLuckie says he took no part in the contract negotiations and denied any wrongdoing.
A spokesman for 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.”
I wonder where it could lead ?
That most Police Forces are now Privately owned ?
I wonder what these two have really done to upset the totally CORRUPT Police FORCE and their owners ?
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