8:10am Friday 3rd September 2010
By Lauren Pyrah
POLICE have launched an inquiry after a squad car was seen parked in a disabled bay at a North-East supermarket.
The Durham Police car was spotted at 6.15pm on Wednesday by a shopper, who took a picture on their mobile phone and sent it to The Northern Echo.
Police said they would conduct an inquiry and would take disciplinary action if the officer concerned was found to have parked inappropriately at the Asda store, in Whinbush Way, Darlington.
The shopper who photographed the car, along with a charity which helps disabled people in Darlington, reacted angrily to the picture.
The shopper, who did not want to be identified, said: “Is this what I am paying my council tax for? I was disgusted.”
Last night, charity Darlington Association on Disability also raised concerns.
Chairman Gordon Pybus said: “If there was no emergency, it is an absolute disgrace.
It makes you lose a lot of faith in what the police are doing in terms of equality.
They have a duty, as officers of the law, to promote equality.
“People may think it is a minor thing to park like that, but for a person who needs that bay, it is a major thing.
“We shouldn’t have to tolerate this from police officers.
“Anyone else who parked in a disabled bay without a blue badge would get a ticket.
“It is just not acceptable behaviour from the police.”
Inspector Kevan McCarthy said the force was investigating the incident.
“We are looking to establish why a police car was parked in that bay. If the vehicle has been inappropriately parked, then we will take internal action regarding that issue with the officer concerned,” he said.
“We fully support the ethos of any organisation, including supermarkets, making provisions to help disabled people access the facilities by providing these bays.”
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