Senior police officer charged with fraud

8 April 2010, 14:47 | Updated: 8 April 2010, 15:52

A senior Thames Valley Police officer who used to be Oxford's Local Police Area Commander has been charged with insurance fraud.

Jim Trotman was arrested in February by the force's Professional Standards Department after an investigation into a fire - which police think was started deliberately - and an associated insurance claim.

The 44 year old from Abingdon's been charged with perverting the course of justice and two counts of insurance fraud.

He's been suspended from police duty and is due to appear before magistrates in Swindon on 19 April 2010.

Thames Valley Police say they won't be commenting further.