“If there are areas where we can bring them back with proper learning and training, I would say let’s get them back to work. “That can only be good for everybody.”

Essex Police fired former Ch Supt Tom Simons in April after he abused his senior position for sexual purposes with a colleague.

According to the force’s pay scales, his annual salary would have ranged between £99,612 and £111,117. It meant he could have taken home up to £333,351 during the three-year investigation into his actions.

PC Georgie Bean, based in Basildon, also received a salary over several years while being investigated for having a sexual relationship with a key witness.

According to an Essex Police spokesman, some proceedings could become “very complex or difficult”.

“When officers are suspended, it is at the point where there is an indication that an officer may have committed a criminal offence or breached the standards of professional behaviour amounting to misconduct,” he claimed.

“Following an investigation, the officer may be cleared from any wrongdoing and therefore it would be considered unfair to suspend their pay when nothing has been proven against them at that stage.”

In October, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a review of the “timeliness and appropriateness” of IOPC investigations.

An IOPC spokeswoman stated that addressing timeliness was their “absolute priority” and that “fundamental reform” was required to reduce complexities. “We understand the impact of long investigations on both complainants and the police officers involved,” she informed us.

“We are committed to working with the government, policing and other stakeholders to speed up the system and address the wider causes of delays.”