Police chief reinstated two weeks after suspension

Chief Constable Jason Hogg is currently being investigated for gross misconduct

The head of one of England's largest police forces has said he is "pleased" to have been reinstated to his position less than two weeks after being suspended.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) Chief Constable Jason Hogg was suspended earlier this month, after the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) revealed it was investigating him for gross misconduct.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Barber said Mr Hogg would now return to his role with immediate effect, following an appeal.

In a statement, the Chief Constable said he was "deeply grateful for the ongoing professionalism and dedication" shown by TVP officers, staff and volunteers.

"I am pleased to return to my role, and my focus remains firmly on leading our force and protecting our communities by fighting crime and supporting victims," he added.

Mr Barber, who made the decision to relive Mr Hogg of his duties, admitted it had been "over reliant on the assessment made by the IOPC".

"My intention was, and remains, to ensure that the highest standards of conduct are maintained at every level of policing and to give the public reassurance in policing," he said.

"The Chief Constable, as with all of us, is innocent unless proven otherwise, and it remains for the IOPC to conclude their investigation and I once again urge them to conclude it as quickly as possible."

Matthew Barber said he had reversed his decision to suspend Jason Hogg following an appeal

Mr Barber said he had "always had confidence" in Mr Hogg, but added that the suspension had "undoubtedly" created a "great uncertainty" within TVP.

Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs had been temporarily leading the force for the past 12 days.

Mr Hogg is currently being investigated by the IOPC over concerns he failed to adequately investigate allegations around the improper retention of sensitive police information between 2016 and 2020.

Steve Noonan, the IOPC's director of operations, previously said the investigation related to concerns that Mr Hogg and another senior officer failed to properly investigate allegations that a former senior TVP officer retained a significant amount of sensitive police information after they left the force.

Mr Noonan said the investigation did "not mean that disciplinary proceedings will necessarily follow".

Mr Hogg was appointed as TVP's chief in April 2023, and has been with the force since 2016.

The force serves a population of 2.34m people across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire and is the fifth largest police force in England.