NINE Suffolk police officers clocked up suspensions lasting nearly three-and-a-half years on full pay while they were investigated for alleged crimes.

Figures reveal the nine – all constables – were suspended between 2009 and 2012.

Six of the nine officers resigned from their posts, while two were given a final written warning and another was given “management advice”, police said.

The longest suspension while on full pay came in 2012 when a Pc was being investigated for benefit fraud. The officer was suspended for 299 days and eventually resigned.

Another officer was suspended for 239 days in 2011, eventually receiving management advice following an allegation of assault.

Other suspensions were enforced following allegations of breaching data protection, an ammunition offence, theft and assaults.

In 2011 a constable resigned after being suspended for 56 days for an allegation of sexual assault.

Police said that when a resignation is accepted, the result of an ongoing criminal investigation is not affected. When an officer resigns while subject to a disciplinary investigation, the matter is included in any reference provided by the force.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Marshall, pictured, said: “Police officers are expected to deliver the highest standards of personal and professional behaviour. These standards reflect the expectations the public have of how officers should behave.

“The constabulary takes any complaints against officers very seriously and all evidence is carefully and objectively reviewed by the Professional Standards Department both from a criminal and misconduct perspective.

“Where there is an indication that an officer may have committed a criminal act, evidence is presented to the Crown Prosecution Service to seek advice as to whether any further action would be appropriate.

“In cases of gross misconduct, and in cases where it is considered inappropriate for the employee(s) involved in misconduct to remain in their normal place of work, consideration will be given to precautionary suspension or redeployment elsewhere.

“Any such suspension will be with full pay and does not indicate a presumption of guilt.

“Precautionary suspensions will last as long as required whilst a thorough investigation of the allegations takes place.”