Thirteen Cleveland Police Officers Currently On Suspension as Misconduct Investigations Continue

The number of officers currently on suspension was disclosed through a freedom of information request released this month

Thirteen Cleveland Police Officers found to be Suspended – And Still on Full Pay

14th Jan 2026

Cleveland Police has now formally admitted that thirteen of its serving police officers are currently suspended from duty, either while under investigation or while disciplinary proceedings are ongoing, representing a far higher number than what was originally thought.

The disclosure, made following a request for information, raises renewed questions about standards of conduct within the force with no public confidence, as well as the length of internal investigations, and the financial burden being placed on the public purse while officers remain away from frontline duties.

Suspension Is a “Neutral Act” – But Its Coming at a Cost

Officers who are suspended are usually on full police pay until any investigation has concluded.

Under UK policing regulations, officers who are suspended during misconduct or criminal investigations are normally suspended on full pay. Police forces routinely describe suspension as a “neutral act”, designed to protect the integrity of an investigation, safeguard the public, or prevent interference with evidence or witnesses.

Suspension itself is not a punishment, and officers are legally entitled to continue receiving their basic salary while inquiries are carried out. However, while suspended officers usually lose access to most additional allowances, they may still receive certain payments, such as:

• Housing allowance

• Transitional rent allowance (where applicable)

  
  

In practical terms, this means officers under serious investigation can remain on the payroll for extended periods (sometimes years) without performing any operational policing role.

Only Rare Circumstances Where Pay Can Be Withheld

Unpaid suspension is said to be 'extremely uncommon' and can only occur in tightly defined legal circumstances where :

• An Officer has been detained in custody or imprisoned following conviction, or

• Is absent without leave and their whereabouts are unknown

  
  

Outside of these scenarios, its claimed police forces have little discretion but to continue paying suspended officers, regardless of the seriousness of the allegations being examined.

Lengthy Investigations and Public Concern

One of the most contentious issues surrounding police suspensions is the duration some officers are languishing on suspension. Misconduct and criminal investigations can take many months or even years to conclude, particularly where cases involve the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) or complex evidence.

Nationally, policing bodies have acknowledged concerns about prolonged suspensions and have encouraged forces to:

• Keep suspensions under regular review

• Use alternative restrictions on duties where possible

• Resolve investigations swiftly and proportionately

  
  

The confirmation that thirteen officers currently suspended at Cleveland Police raises legitimate questions about:

• How long these officers have been off duty

• The nature of the allegations involved

• Whether suspensions could have been avoided through restricted duties instead

  
  

Outcomes: Cleared or Dismissed

At the conclusion of an investigation, outcomes typically fall into one of two categories:

• Cleared of wrongdoing:If an officer is fully exonerated, they remain entitled to the pay they received during suspension and may also recover any allowances they would otherwise have earned.

  
  

• Dismissed or required to resign:If misconduct is proven and the officer is dismissed, pay stops from the date of dismissal, not retrospectively.

  
  

This framework means that even officers later found guilty of serious misconduct may have spent long periods on full pay before being removed from the force.

There's concerns over the financial impact to tax payers & exactly just how much its costing locals on Teesside

For a police force that now holds no public confidence & has faced repeated scrutiny over standards, accountability, and transparency, the admission that thirteen officers are currently suspended is unlikely to reassure the public that Cleveland Police is seemingly "Turning a Corner"...

Each suspended officer represents:

• A financial cost to taxpayers

• One fewer officer available for frontline policing

• Another test of public confidence in the force’s ability to police itself effectively

  
  

While suspension may be a neutral administrative tool, the scale and persistence of such cases is inevitably fueling wider concerns about leadership, culture, and oversight within Cleveland Police.