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Off duty police officer arrested during wake

Paul Maher
28/ 5/2008

A POLICEMAN has been arrested on suspicion of assault following a scuffle involving a woman at a wake.

Police Constable Mark Taylor was arrested while he was off duty when a fight broke out at the Dog and Partridge pub on Didsbury Road, Stockport.

It is understood that no one was seriously hurt during the fracas.

The officer, who is based at Elizabeth Slinger Road police station in Didsbury, had gone to the pub on May 7, following a funeral.

Police were called to the pub and PC Taylor was arrested.

He was interviewed and later released on police bail pending further enquiries being made by Stockport CID.

He was allowed to return to work as a police officer, but has been placed on ‘restrictive duties’ while the investigation continues.

One member of staff at the pub said: "There was a scuffle between some family members. It was dealt with."

It is understood the officer denies the allegation and says he was an innocent party caught up in a family dispute.

Following the conclusion of the criminal investigation, the officer also faces an internal inquiry into his conduct by Greater Manchester Police, even though he was off duty at the time.

Officers can be sacked for conduct which brings ‘discredit’ to the police force, regardless of whether they were on or off duty at the time.

The police Code of Conduct states: "Any conduct which brings, or is likely to bring, discredit to the police service may be the subject of sanction."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "GMP can confirm a serving police officer was arrested following a disturbance at the Dog and Partridge pub in Stockport on May 7, 2008. The officer was not on duty at the time. The officer has been placed on restrictive duties pending further inquiries by Stockport CID and is on bail until July 2008.

"GMP’s Professional Standards Department have been informed. No further action will be taken until the investigation has been completed."