josh.warwick@eveningstar.co.uk>FIVE police officers have been reprimanded for misconduct following an evening of booze-fuelled high jinks at the police station bar, it emerged today.

By JOSH WARWICK, crime reporter

josh.warwick@eveningstar.co.uk>

FIVE police officers have been reprimanded for misconduct following an evening of booze-fuelled high jinks at the police station bar, it emerged today.

As exclusively revealed in The Evening Star, an internal investigation was launched following a string of incidents at the Civic Drive police station watering hole in November last year.

Police chiefs immediately banned the sale of alcohol at the bar after the story broke.

While force chiefs remained tight-lipped on the details of the saga, the Star understands a number of separate incidents took place both inside and outside the police station.

Today, police confirmed five officers had been given slapped wrists and issued with warnings as to their future conduct.

A spokesman said: “The investigation by Suffolk Constabulary's Professional Standards department into the allegations of misconduct at the police bar in Ipswich on the evening of November 23, 2007, have now been completed.

“Internal disciplinary action has been taken against five officers.

“We will not discuss the nature of the incidents or issue further comment as no criminal charges were brought.”

The station has in recent years gained national publicity by being named the 'Lock 'Em Inn' in a quirky warning to revellers that seasonal drink-fuelled bad behaviour will not be tolerated.

The bar is used as a social club used by officers after work.

While it remained open for teas, coffees and soft drinks after the incident, alcohol was only made available again in April this year.

Should the bar sell booze to officers? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk