By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 19:24, Sunday, 16 September 2012

CUMBRIA’S temporary chief constable says he was “devastated” to be suspended – and has vowed to clear his name at the earliest opportunity.

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Stuart Hyde was suspended from duty by Cumbria Police Authority on Thursday.

Its chairman, Ray Cole, issued a statement saying: “The decision has been taken following a number of allegations of serious misconduct, which may indicate there has been a breach in the standards of professional behaviour in his activities as temporary chief constable.”

Mr Hyde also issued a statement through his solicitor, John Harding, of the London law firm Kingsley Napley.

He said: “I have been very proud to serve the people of Cumbria as chief constable and wish to continue in that role.

“I was devastated when I was told about the allegations.

“I will await the full details and I will co-operate fully with any investigation.”

The police authority is not revealing the precise nature of the allegations.

The News & Star, however, understands they have come from two senior officers.

Bernard Lawson, deputy chief constable of Merseyside Police, has taken over as chief constable temporarily.

The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which will decide if it merits further investigation.

A spokesman said: “We can confirm we have received a referral from Cumbria Police Authority in relation to allegations against temporary chief constable Stuart Hyde.

“We will be carrying out an immediate and detailed assessment of this referral to determine the level of our involvement in an investigation into the allegations.”

News of Mr Hyde’s suspension has sent shockwaves through the Cumbria force.

Inspector Lee Skelton, chairman of Cumbria Police Federation, said: “Officers out there are surprised and shocked at what’s happened.

“Our aim now is to continue to deliver the best policing we can and not allow ourselves to be distracted.”

Mr Hyde joined Cumbria Constabulary as deputy chief constable in May 2009.

He was previously assistant chief constable with West Midlands Police and had also served with Avon and Somerset Constabulary, and West Yorkshire Police.

He was promoted to temporary chief constable in January following the departure of Craig Mackey.

The appointment was temporary because it will be up to the new police and crime commissioner – to be elected in November – to decide who fills the post permanently.

Mr Hyde encouraged officers over the use of social media, such as Twitter, to communicate with the public.

He had been in Washington DC as recently as Tuesday to attend a conference on the use of social media by law-enforcement agencies.

He is a board member of the University of Cumbria and was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal earlier this year.

His family home is at Ilkley, in Yorkshire, although he also has a property at Great Salkeld in the Eden Valley.

Richard Rhodes, the Conservative candidate for police and crime commissioner, said he was sad to hear of Mr Hyde’s suspension.

He added: “A suspension is a neutral act; that doesn’t say anything about anybody, designed to give both parties in any dispute time to reflect, investigate and reach a proper conclusion. That’s where we are.”

The Labour candidate, Patrick Leonard, said: “There is a proper procedure to go through and it sounds as if the police authority are doing that.

“I am sure the acting chief constable will provide the continuity needed to ensure the operations of the force will be unaffected.”

Liberal Democrat Pru Jupe was unavailable for comment.

First published at 19:22, Sunday, 16 September 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk