Two Greater Manchester Police officers Who were accused of using a police dog as a weapon have been cleared by an inquiry from the Independent Office of Police Complaints

Lm had previously been cleared by a jury in Preston in June 2019 after being charged over an incident three years previously that saw five men injured by a police dog after being chased.The trial also heard of other incidents in which it was alleged that officers had used excessive force using dogs

The jury heard that the incidents resulted in some of those arrested sustaining serious injuries which required hospital treatment.

After the trial GMP informed the IOPC Lin April 2020 that, following the outcome of the criminal hearing, it no longer believed they should face disciplinary proceedings.

However the IOPC disagreed and during the misconduct hearing, which started on 10 May, the independent panel heard submissions from the officers’ representatives and on 30 May agreed to discontinue proceedings for one of the cases after a witness indicated they no longer wished to engage with proceedings.

The panel has now found the cases not proven against either officer.

IOPC Director of Operations Amanda Rowe said: “This has been a complex case involving some very serious allegations and some of the men involved suffered significant dog bite injuries. As such, it was important for the matters to be independently and thoroughly investigated.

“Our work has ensured these officers actions have been scrutinised at public hearings, which provides the transparency that is vital for public confidence in policing and in the complaints system.

“We are grateful to the panel for their consideration of the matters brought before them.”

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