Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC - formerly IPCC)
Printable version

West Midlands police officer charged with racially aggravated wounding after dog bite incident

A West Midlands Police officer is due to appear in court charged with racially aggravated wounding following an incident where a man was injured by a police dog.

Police Constable Paul Birch is accused of unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm during the incident at the site of the former North Worcestershire Golf Course at Northfield on 4 September last year (2017). The charge also specifies that the offence was racially aggravated contrary to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

A man who was with a group of travellers was taken to hospital after being bitten by a West Midlands Police dog during the incident and following a referral from the force we began an investigation which looked at how and why the dog was deployed. Our investigation was completed in May and the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charge last month (October).

PC Birch will make his first appearance before Birmingham Magistrates Court tomorrow (Wednesday 21 November) at 10am.

 

Channel website: https://policeconduct.gov.uk/

Original article link: https://policeconduct.gov.uk/news/west-midlands-police-officer-charged-racially-aggravated-wounding-after-dog-bite-incident

Share this article

Latest News from
Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC - formerly IPCC)

Free, Secure, Compliant UK Public Sector IT Recycling Service