Forty police staffarrested by Force

Forty police officers arrested by own colleagues.

The figures, released after a Freedom of Information Act request, show how those given the job of upholding the law occasionally fall foul of it.

The most common reason for arrest was an allegation of assault.

But the police force said the figures simply confirm that the law is applied equally to all, regardless of whether they are employed by the force or not.

Chief Superintendent Andy Brennan said: “We pro actively work to uncover those who attempt to abuse their position. I can assure our communities that these individuals are in the minority.

“There are over 8,000 officers and staff in the Force who are honest and hard working people who care passionately about keeping people safe.

“When a police officer or staff member is arrested, consideration is always given as to whether or not the individual should be suspended from duty, which is done on a case by case basis.”

The figures show that officers and police staff have been arrested for a wide variety of reasons.

Of the 40 arrests made between 2011 and 2013, 15 were for alleged assaults.

Two were arrested on suspicion of sexual assault, six were suspected of drink driving and one officer was arrested on suspicion possessing indecent photographs.