A WEST Midlands police officer has been arrested on suspicion of theft and possession of Class A drugs.
The 47-year-old officer is currently on police bail and has been suspended on full pay while investigations continue.
He was arrested on June 4.
He could face up to seven years in prison if charged and found guilty - the maximun sentence for possession of Class A drugs, according to the Home Office.
The case follows the earlier imprisonment of a West Midlands Police officer for drugs offences.
A female officer was jailed for 12 months for being in possession of Class A drugs, misconduct in public office and wilful neglect of duties on November 25 2005.
Aged 31 at the time, she resigned the day after she was charged.
West Midlands Police revealed the details of the cases in response to a Freedom of Information request by the Sunday Mercury.
They said four officers had been arrested for drug offences over the last three years.
Another officer was arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs, which include heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, crack magic mushrooms and amphetamines.
The fourth was arrested on suspicion of possessing Class C drugs, which include cannabis, tranquilisers and GHB.
A force spokesman said: “We can confirm a West Midlands Police officer aged 47 was arrested on June 4 2008 on suspicion of theft and possession of Class A drugs. He is currently on bail pending further inquires and suspended.
“He is on full pay. This will be stopped if he is sentenced to prison or is remanded in custody.
“We can also confirm a female officer, aged 31 at the time, was sentenced for 12 months custodial on November 25 2005.
“She was charge on 23 June 2005 with possession of Class A drugs, misconduct ina public office nad wilful neglect of duties.
“She resigned from the force the day after being charged.”
The force has refused to release any further details about the arrests.
The spokesman said officers who are arrested on suspicion of offences were not given any special treatment by fellow officers. “Their are no stipulated or mandatory guidelines in relation to this,” said the spokesman.
“The most important thing is the officer is treated exactly the same as any other member of the community, they will be taken to a police station.
“What happens then entirely depends on the circumstances.
“Relatively minor offences can be investigated internally, if it is a more serious offence then the Independent Police Complaints Commission might carry out the investigation.
“If the senior investigating officer deems the offence serious enough they can make a recommendation to the deputy chief constable.
“It is then up to the deputy chief constable to decide if they are going to suspend the officer involved.
The Home Office said it does not issue guidelines to forces on how to deal with officers who commit crimes.
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