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Durham Police officers probed over deer 'crowbar death' Durham Police officers probed over deer 'crowbar death'
(about 1 hour later)
Two firearms officers with Durham Police are being investigated after allegedly using a crowbar to kill an injured deer. Two Durham Police firearms officers may face criminal charges after they allegedly used a crowbar to kill an injured deer.
The officers had been dispatched to destroy the stricken animal, which had apparently been hit by a vehicle.The officers had been dispatched to destroy the stricken animal, which had apparently been hit by a vehicle.
But it is understood that instead of using their firearms, the officers used a crowbar to kill the animal. But it is understood that instead of using a firearm, the officers used a crowbar to kill the animal.
A Durham Police spokesman said the deer was "apparently not destroyed in the approved, humane manner". The force's deputy chief constable, Michael Banks, said the Crown Prosecution Service had been informed.
The officers, who have not been named or their ranks revealed, have been moved to other duties.The officers, who have not been named or their ranks revealed, have been moved to other duties.
'Other duties' Mr Banks said the deer should have been destroyed humanely with firearms, but had apparently been killed with a crowbar taken from a police vehicle.
The spokesman added: "It is not unusual for firearms officers to be deployed on occasions when a deer or other large animal is clearly suffering as the result of being struck by a vehicle, and the best action would be for the animal to be humanely destroyed. 'Gross misconduct'
"We can confirm inquiries are being made to establish the circumstances surrounding the destruction of an injured deer on a road in Tanfield Lea, Durham, in early June. He said: "This should never have happened and I am sorry that Durham officers appear to have behaved in this way."
"It has been brought to our attention that the deer was apparently not destroyed in the approved, humane manner. The incident happened in 11 June, but was reported to senior staff by other officers two weeks later.
"Two authorised firearms officers have been moved to other duties while the facts are being established and they are not currently involved in a firearms capacity." Mr Banks said: "In the early hours of 11 June two of our officers were responding to a call at Tanfield Lea, near Stanley.
The investigation is being conducted by the force's professional standards department. "They came across an injured deer and reported it in because we have the means to humanely destroy animals that are in such a distressed state.
"Two other officers with the skills and relevant equipment were despatched to deal with it.
"There is currently an investigation under way because we do not believe the deer was killed in the humane way that it should have been.
"The two officers that were involved have been served notice that they are under investigation and that they will be interviewed.
"Both could face disciplinary action for gross misconduct and we are liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service to check about any criminal charges they wish to consider. We are treating this very seriously indeed."
It is not known which species of deer was involved, but the north of England is home to several, including Red, Roe and Fallow, according to the British Deer Society.It is not known which species of deer was involved, but the north of England is home to several, including Red, Roe and Fallow, according to the British Deer Society.