The Sussex branch of the Police Federation today called for a meeting to discuss criticism of officers by the wife of Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse.

Federation spokesman Graham Alexander said he was disappointed and bewildered by Elizabeth Whitehouse's comments, which he described as "very sweeping and unfair".

In an article in yesterday's Guardian Mrs Whitehouse, an employment lawyer, criticised officers involved in the arrest of her daughter, Frances.

Mrs Whitehouse said her husband's officers had "no idea" about the dynamics in the relationship her daughter had with her boyfriend.

She said: "It's a violent relationship they are dealing with. They knew they were dealing with that but they chose to prosecute.

"They simply do not understand their own domestic violence policy. What has happened each time is that the outcome is to make things much, much worse.

"I'm not only cross about the police, I'm extremely disappointed in the way the prosecution took the case forward."

Mr Alexander is asking for a meeting with the Sussex Police Authority.

He said: "We have a number of concerns about the article, its timing and its tone and we will take this up with the police authority.

"My understanding is that there is no prosecution without full input from the Crown Prosecution Service."

After a row at their flat, Frances Whitehouse's boyfriend Lloyd Smith hurled himself out of a window.

Whitehouse, then 19, was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and while in a police car kicked an officer in the head.

She was found guilty of assault and given 12 months' probation by Brighton magistrates last month. She was also ordered to pay compensation.