A veteran Bermuda Police officer who was suspended for pepper-spraying a colleague during training has been exonerated at a disciplinary hearing.

However, Sergeant Russell Matthews is yet to resume duties ten months on from the incident in question.

The Royal Gazette understands Sgt. Matthews was told by Police Commissioner George Jackson that instead of returning to his old position as training co-ordinator for firearms, public order and officer safety at Prospect HQ, he must take on a regular non-specialist role at Somerset Police Station.

A source, who did not wish their name to be printed, said Sgt. Matthews took umbrage at the decision, which followed his clearance in November over breaching regulations on Captor — a spray used to subdue disruptive suspects. He has not taken up the new post.

Sgt Matthews, who has 22 years of service in Bermuda behind him, was suspended on full pay for around eight months from the time of the alleged incident last March until the disciplinary hearing.

He is understood to be on sick leave at present, and taking legal advice.

When this newspaper contacted him, he confirmed the case against him had not been proven but declined to comment further.

Detective Constable Carl Neblett of the Police Federation, which represents the interests of Bermuda Police Service members, said although his organisation gave advice to Sgt. Matthews, it was not involved in the internal disciplinary process. He added that he was unaware of any formal grievance being filed by the officer.

The Royal Gazette <$>asked Bermuda Police Service to comment on the Commissioner’s reason for handing Sergeant Matthews a new role, whether his original specialist post was currently filled, and how much had been paid to the officer in suspension and sick pay since the incident. A spokesperson replied: “We do not publicly discuss or comment on internal human resource issues.”

A request for comment from Minister of Public Safety David Burch had not been answered by press time.