§ Gillian MerronTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average length of suspension police officers experienced while under disciplinary investigation broken down by police authority in the last five years; [31589]
(2) how many police officers currently have been suspended from operational duties for (a) less than six months, (b) six to 12 months, (c) 12 to 18 months, (d) 18 months to two years and (e) more than two years; [31591]
(3) if he will estimate the current average cost of keeping a police officer suspended from duty for a year. [31590]
§ Mr. MichaelThe information is not available in the form requested. Some information about suspended officers is at present being obtained from the 43 police forces in England and Wales in response to a Question from another hon. Member. When that information has been collated, I will also provide that information to my308W hon. Friend. The cost of any suspension would depend on the rank of the officer and at what point on the relevant pay range he or she is being paid.