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Anger at police chief's Osama outfit
Ellen Widdup, Evening Standard10 Sep 2008
A senior police officer has been branded "totally insensitive" after he took part in a village carnival's fancy dress parade wearing an Osama bin Laden costume.
Chief Superintendent Colin Terry joined the procession in robes and a rubber face mask depicting the world's most wanted terrorist.
Mr Terry, of Devon and Cornwall Police, donned the costume less than a week before today's anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
He wore the outfit at the annual carnival on Saturday in the village of Grampound, Cornwall, where he lives with his family.
Mr Terry - a decorated officer - visited New York two years ago to attend the fifth anniversary of 9/11. Carnival-goers have criticised the costume and said Mr Terry appeared to be having "the time of his life". One said: "Everybody was stunned. It was good of him to take part but no one could believe he showed up dressed as Bin Laden.
"His bosses might have something to say. He was bouncing down the street with people dressed as chickens, Spiderman and fairies.
"He was having the time of his life. He probably thought it was funny but it was totally insensitive." Mr Terry comes from a police family, with a grandfather who was a special constable in Exeter, Devon, during the Second World War.
His own career began in West Mercia 24 years ago where he served as a motorcyclist, firearms officer, surveillance sergeant and traffic officer.
He worked in Telford and London, before joining the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary where he has served as a district commander. In his role as Chief Superintendent he has focused on burglaries, violent crime and racism.
The father-of-two has been awarded seven commendations for achievements including negotiating the release of a hostage from a man wielding a knife in Worcester. He also helped prevent a rooftop suicide attempt, helped to rescue a woman from a fire and stepped in while off-duty to stop a man being assaulted.
Mr Terry also has a private pilot's licence and is a keen motorcyclist. He went to New York in 2006 to attend a memorial service at Ground Zero - where 2,749 people lost their lives in 2001.
Speaking at the time, he said: "This is the first time that I will have attended any such event and I am really looking forward to what will be a unique experience. I believe I am the only representative from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary who is attending."
Reader views (1)
how ridiculous that this has been blown out of proportion and turned into a witch hunt... everyone was having the time of their lives - it was carnival day! he doesnt live in grampound, which is the only reason people were stunned - we werent expecting to see him! hes a decent man who has given a lot to so many - leave him alone!!
- Sarah, grampound, 10/09/2008 21:14
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