Cleveland Police boss has to answer another inquiry (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Cleveland Police boss has to answer another inquiry

8:00am Friday 24th August 2012 in News By Graeme Hetherington

A CHIEF constable is facing a new investigation following the arrest of his partner on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly.

Sean Price, who was arrested last year as part of a corruption probe into Cleveland Police, is already facing a disciplinary hearing for a separate Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report – and now the watchdog is to investigate him again.

His wife, Detective Chief Inspector Heather Eastwood, was arrested by North Yorkshire Police, in Northallerton , on April 4, last year, before they were married. She was released with no further action being taken.

But she and Mr Price, who is alleged to have known of the arrest, are suspected of failing to notify their employer, Cleveland Police.

As a result, circumstances surrounding the incident were referred to the IPCC by Cleveland Police and Cleveland Police Authority in May, and an investigation has been launched.

DCI Eastwood married Mr Price this year and is expecting their baby.

Earlier this week it was confirmed Mr Price will face a misconduct hearing over allegations from the first IPCC investigation – including the alleged misuse of public funds and corporate credit cards.

Last night, an additional charge of gross misconduct was laid against his deputy, Derek Bonnard, after a meeting of Cleveland Police Authority’s Professional Standards sub-panel yesterday.

The decision came after Mr Bonnard was told he will not face the prospect of criminal charges after he was released from police bail following his arrest last year as part of Operation Sacristy.

This is an investigation into a number of people with current or past associations with Cleveland Police Authority and the manner in which it may have conducted some of its business.

An authority spokeswoman said: “This brings to a total of seven matters referred to a misconduct hearing for DCC Bonnard and one matter is being deferred pending the outcome of the wider criminal investigation ongoing by Operation Sacristy. Eleven matters are being referred to a misconduct hearing for Chief Constable Sean Price and seven matters are being deferred pending the outcome of the wider criminal investigation ongoing by Operation Sacristy.

“The two misconduct hearings will be run separately and it is hoped that hearings will start within the next two months. The authority has also been informed that DCC Bonnard has been released from police bail.

“Both Mr Price and DCC Bonnard remain suspended from duty.

“The criminal inquiry being run by Operation Sacristy continues.”

Mr Price, Dave Mcluckie, the former chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, along with the force’s former solicitor, Caroline Llewellyn, and an unidentified 42-year-old, all remain on bail as the criminal investigation continues.