This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-28558929
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 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 an injured deer was apparently killed with a crowbar. | |
| The officers had been dispatched to destroy the animal, which was believed to have 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. |
| 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." |
| 'Gross misconduct' | 'Gross misconduct' |
| The incident happened on 11 June, but was reported to senior staff by other officers two weeks later. | The incident happened on 11 June, but was reported to senior staff by other officers two weeks later. |
| 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. | 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. |
| He said: "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. |
| "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 [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." |
| 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. |