Police probe alleged assault

A police officer is at the centre of a criminal investigation after he allegedly grabbed an assistant referee at the end of a Christchurch premier league football game.

Police yesterday confirmed they are investigating a complaint about the alleged assault at the match between Western and Cashmere Technical at English Park last Saturday.

They appealed for witnesses to the alleged assault to come forward.

The Press can now reveal the man at the centre of their inquiry is Christchurch police officer Senior Constable Keith Rose. He declined to comment last night, but this week admitted that he grabbed hold of the official. He believed the incident ‘‘lasted only a split second’’ and it was ‘‘big storm in a teacup’’.

Rose, a Western supporter, had been at the game watching his son play.

Senior Sergeant Paul Merrett said police had interviewed the assistant referee who made the complaint.

The alleged assault took place after the game as match officials were leaving the field to enter their changing rooms, Merrett said.

Canterbury district commander Superintendent Gary Knowles said the incident was not related to the officer’s role as a police employee, but an internal investigation would be conducted.

Mainland Football chief executive Mike Coggan said the organisation would co-operate with the police investigation while still carrying out its own inquiry.

Rose was advised not to attend the English Cup match between Western and Halswell at English Park on Tuesday, Coggan said.

There were no incidents at the midweek match, he said.

Steps were being taken to ensure the future safety of referees, and Mainland might have to start looking at appointing game commissioners at each venue because ‘‘we have to consider the safety of the referee as a consequence of [last Saturday’s] incident.’’