Officer suspended over 'bullying' claims

The force is carrying out a "thorough" investigation

A police commander has been suspended amid allegations of bullying within the West Mercia force.

It is alleged that Chief Superintendent Patsy Lord harassed staff within the Redditch and Bromsgrove division.

The force is now carrying out an investigation into what it says is "serious allegations of misconduct in relation to internal staffing matters".

Ms Lord has been suspended from duty pending the outcome of the investigation, which is being carried out by deputy chief constable Alan Bridge.

'Internal procedures'

Mr Bridge said the investigation was still at an early stage but he would do all he could to "expedite the process" while carrying out a "thorough, careful and objective inquiry".

"The complaint has been made from within the organisation and is being dealt with under internal disciplinary procedures," he added.

"I wish to reassure members of the local community that arrangements have been put in place to ensure policing of the Redditch division continues to be properly supervised and that there will be no impact on the level of service they receive.

"It would be inappropriate for me to comment further on this matter while an investigation is in progress."

Ms Lord has been divisional commander at Redditch for nearly four years.

Prior to that she was a superintendent at the force's headquarters in Worcester and has also been a chief inspector at Redditch.