A Merseyside Police officer has been suspended from duty after he was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug in Southport.
The 33-year-old was detained following the alleged incident at the Beach Bar nightclub in the early hours of New Year’s Eve.
Police were called to the Lord Street venue where the officer was taken into custody but has since been released pending further enquiries.
The force has confirmed that the officer, from the local area, has been suspended from his duties while its investigation continues.
Beach Bar owner Craig Winder claims that the off-duty officer was attempting to obtain drugs from other customers before the force were called.
He said: “A male was asking to purchase drugs from our customers, and taking drugs in our venue, and as we operate a zero tolerance policy on drugs, they alerted our staff.
“Me and my security then asked them to come outside with us, and for the second time, he started flashing a Police ID badge at us.
“He was clearly intoxicated, and we suspected he was carrying drugs, so we removed their rights of access to the venue and asked them to leave.
“We then informed Sefton CCTV and Merseyside Police who in turn, arrived at the scene and arrested the male. His two friends were allowed to leave.”