Two senior Gwent Police officers have been suspended following an allegation of sexual assault, reported to have taken place at the retirement party of the force’s former chief constable.
Chief Superintendent Mark Warrender, who oversees policing for Caerphilly, and Chief Superintendent Marc Budden, the force’s temporary assistant chief constable, have both been suspended. It follows an incident in Cardiff on June 28 at the retirement party of former chief constable Julian Williams.
Caerphilly Observer understands that an allegation of sexual assault has been made against Mark Warrender, 50, and he has been suspended, while Marc Budden, 45, has been suspended over an allegation of misconduct in public office.
Avon and Somerset Police is investigating the alleged assault and the allegation of misconduct in a public office.
A spokesman said: “We’re carrying out an investigation into an allegation of a criminal offence made against a serving officer at Gwent Police. The officer has been suspended while this investigation is carried out.
“Alongside this, our professional standards department are conducting an investigation into allegations of misconduct against other serving officers at Gwent Police.
“This investigation has resulted in a second officer being suspended.”
Both investigations are being managed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Mr Budden joined the police in 1993, and was in charge of neighbourhood policing, partnerships and uniform operations at Gwent Police before rising to temporary assistant chief constable.
Mr Warrender joined Gwent Police in 1996 and is the divisional commander for the force’s west policing area which covers Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Torfaen.