Taxpayers group critical of national picture
Only one member of staff from Beds Police is currently suspended on paid “gardening leave”, new figures have revealed, amid concerns that some forces act too quickly to suspend officers who are the subjects of complaints.

Of the four staff - two PCs and two civilian workers - suspended by Beds Police last year, three are now back at work and the other is still awaiting the outcome of an investigation by the Professional Standards Department.

A survey of the 52 police forces in Britain revealed that almost 300 staff are suspended on full pay, which could be costing taxpayers up to £8million.

A spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Alliance said: “Suspending officers on full pay is a big drain on police budgets and is diverting resources from fighting crime. Taxpayers want officers on the beat, not sitting at home on full pay.”

A spokeswoman for Beds Police pointed out that depending on the complaint, it is sometimes possible to use officers and support staff who would otherwise be facing suspension in another area of the force.
30 March 2007

source : www.lutontoday.co.uk