NORTH-EAST MP Ashok Kumar has suggested merging the Cleveland and Durham police forces.
The MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland was speaking on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Detective Superintendent Ray Mallon's suspension.
Dr Kumar has called for a debate on the future of Cleveland police, criticised over its handling of Det Supt Mallon's case.
He was suspended over allegations of criminal wrong-doing, but cleared by the Crown Prosecution Service 18 months ago. Operation Lancet, the subsequent inquiry into alleged corruption in the force, ended last year without any prosecutions.
Dr Kumar said: "It may be that we now have to ask ourselves the unpalatable question of whether we would be better served by merging Cleveland police with another force - possibly Durham."
A spokesman for Cleveland police declined to comment.
l Read an exclusive interview with Ray Mallon in The Northern Echo tomorrow
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