Police officer charged over 'racially aggravated' dog attack on traveller
The West Midlands Police constable is accused of unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm to a man last year.
Tuesday 20 November 2018 18:40, UK
A policeman whose dog injured a member of the public has been charged with racially aggravated wounding.
Paul Birch, a West Midlands Police constable, is accused of unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm to a man with a group of travellers.
It follows an incident at the site of the former North Worcestershire Golf Course in Northfield, Birmingham, in September last year.
The injured man was taken to hospital after being bitten by the animal, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.
The charge against the 50-year-old claims the offence was racially aggravated contrary to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
An IOPC investigation into how and why the dog was deployed was concluded in May and the Crown Prosecution Service issued the charge last month.
Birch is to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.