Seventeen officers and four civilian staff are under investigation in the Borders over allegations of racist and sexist emails.
– Councillor Donald Moffat, Vice-Convener, Lothian and Borders Police Board"I think the speed with which the action has been taken shows that such behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated and sends a strong message to that effect."
Seventeen officers from Lothian and the Borders Police are being moved to other departments while misconduct inquiries continue.
The officers are being investigated after emails of a racist and sexual nature were allegedly found on an internal computer system.
Four civilian staff will also be moved to other departments, and a 51-year-old has already been suspended.
Seventeen officers and four civilian staff are under investigation in the Borders over allegations of racist and sexist emails.
Lothian and Borders Police say they have suspended a 51-year-old officer and identified another sixteen officers and four staff who appear to be involved.
All of the people are from G Division, which covers the Borders from its headquarters in Hawick.
A police spokesman said it was a huge disappointment that such emails had been circulated on the police system.