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Durham Police officers probed over deer 'crowbar death' Durham Police officers probed over deer 'crowbar death'
(about 9 hours later)
Two Durham Police firearms officers may face criminal charges after they allegedly used a crowbar to kill an injured deer. Two Durham Police firearms officers may face criminal charges after an injured dear was apparently killed with a crowbar.
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 animal, which was believed to have been hit by a vehicle.
But it is understood that instead of using a firearm, 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.
The force's deputy chief constable, Michael Banks, said the Crown Prosecution Service had been informed.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.
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.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.
'Gross misconduct'
He said: "This should never have happened and I am sorry that Durham officers appear to have behaved in this way."He said: "This should never have happened and I am sorry that Durham officers appear to have behaved in this way."
The incident happened in 11 June, but was reported to senior staff by other officers two weeks later. 'Gross misconduct'
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 incident happened on 11 June, but was reported to senior staff by other officers two weeks later.
"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. Mr Banks said two officers responded to a call at Tanfield Lea near Stanley in the early hours and called for assistance to "humanely destroy" the deer.
"Two other officers with the skills and relevant equipment were despatched to deal with it. He said: "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."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 [the officers involved] 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."
"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.