Suspension

(1) In every case where criminal proceedings have been or are being instituted against a member of the Force and the competent authority considers that the public interest requires that such member should cease to exercise the functions of his office, the competent authority may suspend such member from his office. 77 (2) During the period of suspension, the member of the Force so suspended shall remain in receipt of pay at not more than fifty per centum of his basic pay. (3) The pay withheld during the period of suspension shall be refunded to such member of the Force if the criminal proceedings do not result in punishment of any kind. (4) For the purposes of this section, “competent authority” means the authority competent to appoint, and exercise disciplinary control over, such member of the Force.