A HIGH-ranking officer in Cheshire Police has been suspended, the force has confirmed.

Assistant chief constable Una Kelly has been suspended from duty with immediate effect due to an ongoing independent investigation.

This is being carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IPOC), with the probe in its early stages.

It relates to allegations reported in October, but dating back to 2018, involving the alleged sharing of confidential information without proper purpose.

Cheshire Police says the matter does not involve the force in any way.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “Assistant chief constable Una Kelly was suspended from duty with immediate effect on Thursday, November 14, 2024, by Cheshire Constabulary.

“This is following an ongoing independent investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

“This investigation relates to historic matters and does not involve Cheshire Constabulary in any way.”

The force referred the Guardian to IOPC for a further statement.

A spokesman advised that its practice is to not confirm the name individuals being investigated until or unless they are charged with a criminal offence or about to face gross misconduct proceedings.

But they added: “We can confirm we are independently investigating allegations that in 2018, two senior police officers at separate forces shared confidential information relating to an employment matter without proper purpose.

“This follows a referral in late October from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, and a referral in November from Cheshire Constabulary.

“Our investigation is at an early stage.”

ACC Kelly began her career in the Police service of Northern Ireland, reaching the rank of detective superintendent before moving to England in 2017.

She was a detective for 17 years and served as head of crime detective chief superintendent with South Yorkshire Police, after serving as a district commander in Rotherham and Sheffield, before joining Cheshire Police.