A YORK police sergeant who has been suspended for almost two years is to face a disciplinary hearing.

Sgt Nigel Davies, a former acting city centre commander in York, has been unable to work since a number of complaints were made against him in 2000.

The allegations concerned his behaviour towards other officers and the alleged use of excessive force against members of the public. North Yorkshire Police submitted a file to the Police Complaints Authority earlier this year following a lengthy internal investigation.

The PCA said today that the force had recommended the officer should face a misconduct hearing and Ian Bynoe, who has since become the authority's deputy chairman, had agreed with that recommendation.

An authority spokesman said the arrangements for the hearing would be made by the force, but no date had yet been set.

He said there were no indications yet as to what the charges would be or how they would be formed.

A North Yorkshire police spokeswoman confirmed that a disciplinary hearing would be held, and that a date had not yet been fixed. She added that Sgt Davies remained suspended on full pay.

PC Les Coverdale, deputy secretary of the North Yorkshire Police Federation, who is representing PC Davies in this matter, was unable to comment at this stage, and said Sgt Davies could not comment either.

Updated: 11:40 Thursday, September 12, 2002