Detectives suspended over drug allegations
By Paul Wilkinson

TWO detectives from a squad running a zerotolerance crime policy have been
suspended amid allegations that they gave heroin to drugaddict prisoners
in exchange for confessions.

Another officer with the Cleveland force has been given a final warning
after being accused of beating suspects.

Their suspensions follow the collapse of cases at Teesside Crown Court,
where defendants were allowed to alter guilty pleas to not guilty.

The detectives are under the control of Detective Superintendent Ray
Mallon, who advocates the zerotolerance policy of not allowing even the
most minor offence to go unchallenged. He has pledged to resign if crime in
Middlesbrough is not reduced by 20 per cent. His tough stance has been
praised by the Prime Minister and Home Secretary.

Last night Richard Brunstrom, the Assistant Chief Constable (Operations)
with Cleveland, confirmed that the Police Complaints Authority had launched
an inquiry into the allegations.