Eight Durham Officers Suspended Over Off-Duty Trip Misconduct

Eight police officers from Durham Constabulary have been suspended since last October following allegations of misconduct during an off-duty holiday in Spain.

The officers, all based at Chester-le-Street police station, include one sergeant, six constables and one special constable. Durham Constabulary confirmed the suspensions as part of an ongoing investigation by its Professional Standards Department into claims that the group failed to uphold professional behaviour standards while abroad. The probe focuses on their conduct during the trip, which reports describe as involving excessive alcohol consumption and an inappropriate tattoo.

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary stated, "Eight Durham Constabulary officers have been suspended pending an investigation into allegations that they failed to uphold standards of professional behaviour. A sergeant, six PCs and a special constable, all based at Chester-le-Street police station, were suspended in October while an investigation is carried out by the force's Professional Standards Department into the officers' behaviour while off-duty. The investigation is ongoing and all eight remain under suspension."