Disciplinary panel for force boss

A senior manager at Devon and Cornwall Police is to face a disciplinary panel after an inquiry into the force's job evaluation exercise in 2005.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said Colin Papworth, interim director of finance and resources, would face its panel.

The force said he had been suspended, but declined to comment any further.

The job evaluation which led to a review of salary scales led to staff protests outside police headquarters.

Chief Constable Maria Wallis, who was also under IPCC investigation for her role in the evaluation, quit in 2006.

No action was taken against her as a result of the inquiry.

Paid fairly

The force backed down over the review which Mrs Wallis authorised and which proposed cutting hundreds of civilian workers' salaries by thousands of pounds.

The force said the pay review had been designed to ensure staff were paid fairly.

The IPCC said a full report into Mr Papworth's disciplinary hearing would be published once proceedings had finished.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "In line with the police authority's human resources policy this decision has led to his suspension, with immediate effect.

"We are unable to comment further on this issue until any disciplinary action is concluded."