ONE of Hampshire Police's top detectives has been suspended from his high-profile job over allegations of inappropriate conduct towards another member of staff.

Detective Superintendent Tony Adams was suspended from his post on May 15 after the allegations against him were formally logged with Hampshire Constabulary's bosses.

Det Supt Adams has been involved in scores of prominent investigations including the hunt for Hannah Foster's killer and the recent murder of a 17-year-old who was stabbed to death during a late-night fight on Hayling Island.

He currently heads up the force's Criminal Justice Department based at police headquarters in Winchester, which the force's website describes as working towards the "delivery of justice in the interests of the victims of, and witnesses to, crime across the two counties of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight."

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: "A Detective Superintendent with Hampshire Constabulary was suspended from a headquarters post on Tuesday May 15 2007 following an allegation of inappropriate conduct towards a member of police staff."

Stephen Price, Chairman of the Hampshire Police Federation, said the force's professional standards department would now conduct an investigation into the allegations.

He said that at any one time there were probably between six and ten officers suspended from duty, and that resolving the investigation could take weeks or perhaps even months.