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The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating employee benefits provided to Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner during his final period as a senior officer with a neighbouring force.

Allegations that Ron Hogg knowingly accepted benefits he was not entitled to while serving as Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland police were referred to the IPCC by Durham’s Police and Crime Panel.

The allegations were passed to the IPCC after the Panel received information from officers working on Operation Sacristy, an ongoing criminal investigation into individuals with past and present associations with Cleveland Police Authority.

Following an assessment of the referral made by Durham’s Police and Crime Panel, the IPCC has launched its own independent investigation that will be overseen by Commissioner James Dipple-Johnstone.

Mr Dipple-Johnstone said: "The IPCC investigation will look at whether benefits Mr Hogg received before his departure from Cleveland police were properly in line with rules in place at the time. We will carry out a thorough and independent inquiry to establish the facts before deciding whether any matters should be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for its consideration.”

Notes to editors: For media enquiries contact the IPCC press office on 0161 246 8633The IPCC is responsible for investigating any potentially criminal allegation made against Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales, and in London the occupant of Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC).The investigation into Mr Hogg is the fourth independent IPCC investigation into allegations against Police and Crime Commissioners since the first PCC elections in November 2012. The other three investigations involve the Police and Crime Commissioners for Lancashire, North Wales and Hampshire. The Lancashire PCC investigation has been completed and a file passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The Hampshire and North Wales investigations are ongoing.