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Officer reported for Osama outfit Officer reported for Osama outfit
(41 minutes later)
A senior policeman who dressed as Osama Bin Laden at a Cornish fete is being investigated by the police watchdog.A senior policeman who dressed as Osama Bin Laden at a Cornish fete is being investigated by the police watchdog.
Ch Supt Colin Terry, who is on secondment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, wore the outfit to Grampound village carnival last week.Ch Supt Colin Terry, who is on secondment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, wore the outfit to Grampound village carnival last week.
The officer represented Devon and Cornwall Police at a memorial service in New York for the victims of 9/11.The officer represented Devon and Cornwall Police at a memorial service in New York for the victims of 9/11.
The force said Mr Terry's actions were "inappropriate" and "unacceptable". He was unavailable for comment.The force said Mr Terry's actions were "inappropriate" and "unacceptable". He was unavailable for comment.
Devon and Cornwall Police said misconduct proceedings would have been considered if Mr Terry had been working for them at the time.Devon and Cornwall Police said misconduct proceedings would have been considered if Mr Terry had been working for them at the time.
The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
In a statement, a spokesman for the Devon and Cornwall force said: "The decision to participate in the carnival and the choice of costume were both personal decisions by Ch Supt Terry himself. The parade was just a bit of village fun Becky Knight, Grampound resident In a statement, a spokesman for the Devon and Cornwall force said: "The decision to participate in the carnival and the choice of costume were both personal decisions by Ch Supt Terry himself.
The parade was just a bit of village fun Becky Knight, Grampound resident
"Whilst we believe his actions were misguided rather than malicious, they were clearly inappropriate and we would condemn any such actions by any police officer as unacceptable.""Whilst we believe his actions were misguided rather than malicious, they were clearly inappropriate and we would condemn any such actions by any police officer as unacceptable."
The IPCC confirmed it had received a "voluntary referral" from Devon and Cornwall Police.The IPCC confirmed it had received a "voluntary referral" from Devon and Cornwall Police.
Ch Supt Colin Terry faces an investigation into the incident
"We will look into the matter and make a decision in due course," a spokesperson told BBC News."We will look into the matter and make a decision in due course," a spokesperson told BBC News.
Grampound residents said they were surprised by the reaction to the costume.Grampound residents said they were surprised by the reaction to the costume.
Diane Hannam, of the carnival committee, said: "We definitely saw the costume, but I don't remember anyone commenting on the day."Diane Hannam, of the carnival committee, said: "We definitely saw the costume, but I don't remember anyone commenting on the day."
Becky Knight, who works at the Dolphin Pub, said: "The parade was just a bit of village fun, I would be surprised if people took offence."Becky Knight, who works at the Dolphin Pub, said: "The parade was just a bit of village fun, I would be surprised if people took offence."
Almost 3,000 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks.Almost 3,000 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks.
They are believed to have masterminded by Osama Bin Laden, the head of al-Qaeda.They are believed to have masterminded by Osama Bin Laden, the head of al-Qaeda.