Police chiefs in court over abuse of speeding exemption

Two senior police officers are to appear before magistrates today over claims they abused their positions to avoid speeding fines.

Ch Supt Adrian Harper, 45, and Supt Jonathan Johncox, 46, were suspended by Surrey Police in May over allegations of misconduct in office.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission said the court summonses followed an inquiry into the granting of exemptions for traffic offences.

In a statement released at the time of the suspensions in May, Surrey Police said: "The suspensions are as a result of a review carried out by Surrey Police Professional Standards Department into the granting of exemptions to police officers and staff for speeding and red traffic signal offences.

"While the majority of exemptions were granted for sound operational reasons, the review raised concerns about the exemption applications and approvals within the force for a very limited number of cases."

The officers are to appear at Aldershot Magistrates' Court today.