Police dog handler on assault charges
PC IN COURT AFTER ‘SERIOUS INJURIES’ CAUSED DURING ARRESTS
A GREATER Manchester Police officer has appeared in court charged with assault after allegedly using his police dog with ‘excessive force’ during arrests.
Pc Paul Jackson was the subject of an investigation following complaints, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.
The IOPC, formerly the Independent Police Complaints Commission, oversees the police complaints system and investigates serious incidents and grievances.
Investigators revealed they considered separate incidents from May 2015 to September 2016 and said some of those arrested sustained ‘serious injuries which required hospital treatment.’
As a result, Pc Jackson was charged with five counts of section 18 assault – causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Another GMP officer, Pc Paul Lockett, has also been charged in connection with the IOPC investigation.
A spokesman said he has been charged with aiding and abetting in relation to one of the assault charges Pc Jackson faces.
Pc Jackson has been suspended from duty in line with standard procedure, GMP said.
Both appeared before Preston magistrates court on May 30 and are due back before Preston Crown Court on July 3, the IOPC said.
In a statement, the watchdog said: “Pc Paul Jackson was the subject of investigations following complaints about his use of his police dog, and alleged excessive force, during separate incidents from May 2015 to September 2016.
“The incidents resulted in some of those arrested sustaining serious injuries which required hospital treatment.
“We provided evidence from our investigations to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), who made the decision to charge the officers.”
No further details of the incidents or injuries suffered have been released.
GMP said it would not be appropriate for the force to comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
Pc Lockett has been place on ‘restricted duties’ in line with standard procedure, the force added.