Sussex policeman "was bullied by colleagues" (From The Argus)

Sussex policeman "was bullied by colleagues"

9:00am Sunday 10th March 2013 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter

A number of Sussex police officers are being investigated over bullying allegations.

The officers – the force will not say how many – are being questioned after a colleague made a complaint of harassment.

A source told The Argus that the officer, based in Brighton, had been tormented by his colleagues who are accused of sticking items onto his locker at work mocking him.

He said the officer made a complaint to the force in January which is at this stage still being investigated internally.

The source said: “The allegation surrounds something that was left on his locker in January. “It is not known what it was but it did lead to him going off sick and officers being informally questioned.

“It is now being investigated by the force’s professional standards department.”

The source went on to claim that the officer had been subjected to verbal comments for some time which he said were “ignored and unchallenged”.

He said the officer worked at Sussex House in Hollingbury, Brighton, although Sussex Police would not confirm this.

The force also refused to confirm to the newspaper what rank the officer who said he was bullied was and what his job was within the organisation.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “An investigation is being held by the professional standards department following an allegation made by an officer against colleagues at a police premises in Brighton.

"At this stage, there has been no disciplinary action taken against any officer or staff member.”

Mark White from the Police Federation, which represents rank and file police officers, said he was unaware of the allegations.

• Reformed drunk turns his life around and becomes talented photographer
• Care-worker accused of telling nursing home patient she had a 'beautiful body' before trying to kiss her
• Fire crews called to thatched cottage chimney fire
• Fire crew called to Eastbourne lift blaze
• Local heroes in Worthing tackle trouble-making youths - do you know someone similar in your area?