Road traffic collision after pursuit – Metropolitan Police, August 2018

Following a five-month investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, a Metropolitan Police Service officer received a written warning after admitting he failed to adhere to policies and procedures prior to a road traffic collision in which a man sustained serious injuries.

On the evening of 21 August 2018, on Finchley Road, north London, a police officer indicated to the driver of a Vauxhall Astra to stop. When the driver failed to do so the police officer initiated a pursuit.

Evidence gathered during the investigation showed the pursuit lasted approximately 45 seconds during which the officer reached speeds of 97mph and appeared to drive through a red light. The evidence gathered showed that the other driver attempted to turn onto Hoop Lane but crashed into a fence. He then exited the vehicle. The police officer then also attempted to turn the corner and crashed into the driver and the fence.

During the investigation, which concluded in January 2019, our investigators interviewed the officer, the passenger in the police car and the injured driver, as well as receiving and taking statements from officers and members of the public at the scene. Investigators also obtained CCTV footage as well as a collision investigation report.

A file of evidence was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service who decided not to bring any criminal charges. The man initiated a victim right of review (VRR) and the decision was also not to bring any criminal charges. The MPS agreed with our findings and scheduled for the disciplinary hearing to take place.

The officer admitted gross misconduct, as part of his official Regulation 22 response, that his behaviour fell short of the standards expected in relation to duties and responsibilities, concerning his failure to consider the national decision model adequately and adhere to the MPS driving and pursuit policies when assessing the risk whilst in pursuit of a vehicle. The officer received the sanction at a hearing on Monday, 27 January 2020.