The BBC has apologised for mistakenly using a photograph of tragic cop Ian Terry above the caption 'Pc Plod' on a national news bulletin.
The corporation used a library photograph of Pc Terry, the Greater Manchester Police officer who was shot dead by a colleague during a training exercise, to illustrate an item about public spending cuts.
The item included a pictures of 'Mrs Doctor' and later 'Pc Plod' – illustrated with the picture of Pc Terry.
GMP was inundated with complaints following the blunder.
The force called the BBC and the corporation removed the item from its website, before later issuing a public apology.
The mistake came as an inquest continues into the death of Pc Terry, 32, a father-of-two from Burnley, who was shot dead by a colleague during a firearms training exercise at a disused Newton Heath warehouse on June 9, 2008.
It is understood PC Terry's family was made aware of the error.
A spokeswoman for GMP said: “As soon as we realised it had happened we contacted the BBC.
“They told us it was a mistake and they removed it from all their online content, and assured us it wouldn't happen again.”
Chris Burrows, chairman of the Greater Manchester branch of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file cops, said: “I'm absolutely appalled they could make such a disgraceful mistake.
“Surely, the caption should have shown exactly why they had that photograph.
“We were inundated with telephone calls and we complained to the BBC, and asked them to write to the Terry family to apologise. Yes, it was a mistake but it was a pretty shocking mistake.”
One police officer added: “It wasn't just the fact they used the picture but the 'Pc Plod' comment was very demeaning.”
A BBC spokesman: “The BBC News at Six mistakenly used an image of the late Pc Ian Terry in an item on Wednesday's programme.
“The BBC apologises unreservedly for the error and for any distress caused to Pc Terry's family and colleagues.
“As soon as the error was realised, immediate steps were taken to ensure the image was not broadcast again.”
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Showing comments 1 to 15 and replies | View All
Laura Norder, Didsbury (18/03/2010 at 09:22)
Good work.
Esso Blue. Apple Blossom time, Manchester (18/03/2010 at 10:27)
Proper Sentences (18/03/2010 at 10:50)
RT, UK (18/03/2010 at 10:59)
Croc, Manchester (18/03/2010 at 11:52)
smile1 (18/03/2010 at 12:16)
Esso Blue. Apple Blossom time, Manchester (18/03/2010 at 12:57)
Dev_Monkey (18/03/2010 at 13:04)
Because most who post messages constantly critising GMP are proabably bitter people who are still upset about being given a speeding ticket or criminals themselves who blame Police for catching and prosecuting them.
Alan Partridge, Linton Travel Tavern (18/03/2010 at 15:41)
18/03/2010 at 10:59
You're a discrace. This lad was a police officer who died in tragic circumstances training to protect the public. To try and belittle the terrible mistake made by the BBC on the basis that PC Terry's employer have also made mistakes is moronic. PC Terry's family have the right for his image to be handled with extreme respect and dignity.
If you died in a work related accident and the BBC had published this photo of you to illustrate a generic fast food worker I'm sure you'd feel differently. Until you can muster an intellegent comment, don't.
Its sad that theres not been a bigger reaction to this if it had been a picture of Madaline Macann with the words 'blonde child' written below the country would be up in arms. Lets see a bigger gesture than a letter please BBC.
ebble, manchester (18/03/2010 at 17:03)
Try stopping your BBC subscription as a protest at this latest blunder and you'll get a fine and a criminal record for the heinous crime of using your TV even if you only watch ITV or Sky!
Proper Sentences (18/03/2010 at 20:24)
Leon Trotsky (19/03/2010 at 07:27)
The editor who passed this won't lose their job either, but will probably get an internal BBC award for journalism and a massive financial bonus paid for by yours truly.
Laura Norder, Didsbury (19/03/2010 at 09:54)
"The editor who passed this won't lose their job either, but will probably get an internal BBC award for journalism and a massive financial bonus paid for by yours truly." - Leon Trotsky
Did the 'voices' tell you to type your second para - it's surreal.
Leon Trotsky (20/03/2010 at 13:53)
Being the dyed in the wool lefty you are, you add comment that makes no contribution to the discussion in hand.
MancLadUK, Manchester (21/03/2010 at 09:34)
It's disgraceful that an article used to highlight an error that's clearly going to cause upset to a family of a lost family member has been highjacked by thoughtless people, clearly keen on using such an article for their own selfish purposes.
I can't understand hatred for people who risk their lives daily unless some people are on the wrong side of the law and using anything they can to have a bash back at those who keep the decent people in our city safe?
This man died doing a decent and honest job. It's a sad and terrible tragedy, so let's respect that instead of bashing what he stood for and believed in.