Gun cops demoted after firearm prank

TWO cops have been demoted after this photo of them messing around with a SHOTGUN emerged following the tragic death of a colleague during a training exercise.

 One officer is seen pointing the weapon at the rear of his colleague, who poses provocatively on the bonnet of an armoured Land Rover Defender.

Both are dressed in full body armour and carrying Glock handguns.
The snap came after the death of PC Ian Terry during a training exercise in June 2008 which led a coroner to conclude there were systematic failings in the planning of the drill.

An instructor in the force's elite gun unit is thought to have taken the photograph.

The image was discovered on a computer during an unrelated raid on another officer's home in June last year.

All three officers were disciplined and removed from the Tactical Firearms Unit.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: "Greater Manchester Police expects the highest professional standards from all officers and staff and, clearly, this falls well short.          More