One of the most senior detectives in West Yorkshire Police has been charged with drink-driving.

Detective Chief Superintendent David Knopwood, head of West Yorkshire Police’s protective services, has been suspended from duty after being arrested by North Yorkshire Police in Knaresborough late last Monday.

Since November, Mr Knopwood, 48, has led the protective services department which was formed when the crime division was merged with the homicide and major enquiry team.

The department is now being led on an interim basis by Acting Chief Detective Superintendent Mark Ridley.

Knopwood wrote the force’s Operation Newgreen report into officers’ relationship with paedophile celebrity Jimmy Saville, which was criticised by victims when it was published a year ago.

He will appear before magistrates later this month charged with failing to provide a specimen of breath.

The force’s head of professional standards, Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Brennan, confirmed an off-duty West Yorkshire Police officer was arrested and charged with a drink-driving offence by North Yorkshire Police on Monday.

“The officer, who is in his 40s and based in Wakefield, has subsequently been suspended from duty.”