ADUR'S former police chief has been arrested and suspended as part of a criminal investigation.
Chief Inspector Sharon Rowe, Adur district commander between April 2004 and last January, has been arrested with another officer and bailed pending further enquiries.
A police spokesperson would not give any further details as to the nature of the investigation, or confirm the identity of either officer, but a statement sent to MPs Tim Loughton and Peter Bottomley said Chief Insp Rowe, now Worthing district commander, would be absent "for the forseeable future".
Mr Bottomley and Mr Loughton released a joint statement in which they said: "It is wrong for MPs to comment on the detail.
"During her time in charge in Worthing, she and her colleagues have worked to reduce crime, numbers in most categories have dropped, they have done much to catch suspects and have co-operated in bringing appropriate cases before the courts.
"As MPs we expect that to continue whatever the outcome of the present situation."
In her absence, and with immediate effect, Howard Hodges has been appointed Acting Chief Inspector.
In the statement, he said: "This change will not have any operational impact on the policing of Worthing.
"I am already an inspector on the district's Neighbourhood Specialist Team and have lived in Worthing all of my life.
"I am acutely aware of the issues that matter most to local people and will ensure that the quality of policing for those who live, work and visit Worthing remains second to none".
For updates on this breaking story, check
www.shorehamherald.co.ukCHIEF INSP SHARON ROWE - BIOGRAPHYChief Insp Rowe joined the police force in 1986, with most of her time spent in Brighton and Hove.
She was based at Shoreham as a sergeant in 1991 and has since been a detective inspector within the CID unit and worked at the force headquarters in Lewes.
Following two years at Gatwick Airport, where she was a detective chief inspector, Chief Insp Rowe moved back into uniform in April, 2004, when she was appointed Adur district commander.
Following a successful spell of almost three years, she was appointed Worthing district commander in 2007, saying: "I am looking forward to working in a thriving community and with a new local authority. It will be a real challenge."
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