AN investigation into allegations of misconduct involving a police force's civilian head of its standards and ethics department is continuing a year after she was suspended from the role.

Cristiana Emsley was removed from her position at Cleveland Police at the end of June last year and is waiting to learn the outcome of the probe in allegations made against her.

Two disciplinary investigations where Miss Emsley was the 'appropriate authority' have been in the spotlight in the last few days as two senior officers faced allegations.

The Northern Echo:

The senior member of staff was overseeing the investigation into allegations that Superintendent Bev Gill had acted inappropriately by 'tipping off' a colleague he was under investigation himself for sexual misconduct.

The allegations involved Detective Inspector Simon Hurwood, who has since resigned after his behaviour towards more than 20 women came to light.

Supt Gill's hearing was adjourned for three months on Wednesday after the disciplinary panel's chairwoman ruled that the force needed more time to assess the contents of a 500-page document it received in an unrelated employment tribunal.

And on another occasion she is said to have become embroiled in an investigation into another officer who lied about how he suffered facial injuries.

Miss Emsley was also in charge of overseeing the investigation in Detective Inspector John Stansmore who is accused of getting drunk while at a two-day cybersecurity conference in Cardiff.

The detective's disciplinary hearing has been taking place for more than a week and a decision is expected today.

Miss Emsley was drafted in by the force after it disbanded its discredited professional standards department following a number of scandals, including the unlawful use of ‘snooping’ legislation to access data of two Northern Echo reporters.

The suspended senior member of civilian staff at the force is the first non-warranted director of its standards and ethics department.

In January 2017, the-then Chief Constable Iain Spittal announced that the professional standards department (PSD), which investigates complaints, misconduct allegations and wrongdoing amongst officers, would be disbanded.

Cleveland Police confirmed the investigation continues.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054