A senior police woman has been arrested after allegedly stealing make-up from an ASDA store.
Supt Rachel Adams, 46, who is the area commander at Medway police station, Kent, has been suspended from duties following her arrest.
It is alleged the high ranking officer, who earns £67,000 a year, was arrested after she swiped £30 of items – including cosmetics – from an Asda store in West Malling, Kent.
The offence is alleged to have been committed on Bank Holiday Monday, August 27.
Supt Adams was arrested from her home address later that day and is currently on police bail. No charges have been brought against her.
Supt Adams is vice-chairman of the Medway Community Safety Partnership, which comprises police, council and residents, who work together to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
She has headed Medway police since being appointed in June last year and is suspended from both positions pending the outcome of the investigation.
Her policing role is being filled by a female colleague while the investigation continues.
Supt Adams has previously been deputy area commander in the West Kent area, a detective chief inspector in Swale and also served in the armed forces.
Cllr Mike O’Brien, chairman of the Medway Community Safety Partnership, said: “The role of the vice chair of the Medway Community Safety Partnership is automatically taken on by the police officer who has overall responsibility for policing command in Medway.
“If a person is not currently working in that role, they are unable to sit as the vice chair of the partnership.
“As this is an ongoing policing enquiry, we are unable to comment any further.”
A Kent Police spokesman said: “On Monday, August 27 August, a 46-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of theft (shoplifting) in Kings Hill.”
Supt Adams remains on police bail pending further inquiries until October 11.
