Police officers have complained that a detective suspended from duty after being charged with conspiracy to import drugs has been allowed to openly socialise within the Force.

Clifford Stanley Roberts is charged with five drug-related charges going back to 1999, including conspiring to import cocaine and heroin into Bermuda.

But sources told The Royal Gazette that they were upset to see suspended narcotics detective Roberts running in the Police Mini Marathon last week, and being cheered over the finish line; drinking in the Police social club; and continuing to coach the Service's female softball team.

One of the sources said: "A number of officers have raised concerns about it because he is still able to mix with officers who could well be investigating or prosecuting him.

"It seems like a dangerous precedent to set and is something that never used to happen."

In the past, when an officer was suspended from their duties, they were apparently not included in other activities on the Force.

However, Roberts, 32, is still living at Police headquarters and has been freely socialising with fellow officers.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said yesterday that any officer suspended from the Bermuda Police Service was suspended under the provisions of the Police Act 1974 and the Police (Discipline) Order 1975.

He said: "A suspended Police officer is still a member of the Service and is still subject to the same responsibilities, discipline and penalties, and to the same authority as if he had not been suspended.

"The Commissioner maintains a welfare obligation to a suspended officer. Officers who have been subject to suspension are frequently subject to additional conditions - such as not receiving full pay, not having access to specified Police premises and not having access to Police computer systems.

"Suspensions are handled on a case by case basis and in accordance with the law. It would be inappropriate for the Service to discuss the specifics of any particular case."

Roberts first appeared in Magistrates Court charged with the offences at the beginning of November.

He is charged with conspiring, together with Robert Tucker and David Humphries, to import cocaine into Bermuda from the US sometime between January 1 and July 20 last year.

Between August 2000 and October 25 that year, he is charged with conspiring, along with Robert Tucker, to import heroin into the Island from Nigeria. Between January 1 and May 20 last year, Roberts is accused of conspiring, again with Robert Tucker, to import a controlled drug into the Island in the name of The First Church of God.

The accused is alleged to have conspired, with Robert Tucker and Holister Isaacs, to import cocaine into Bermuda sometime during August 1999 and March 20, 2000. And on March 18, 2000, Roberts is accused of importing cocaine into the Island.

All of the charges are indictable and will be dealt with in the Supreme Court, so Roberts has not yet been asked to enter a plea.

Roberts is on $40,000 bail with two sureties.