Pedestrian injured in collision with police car - Metropolitan Police Service, April 2016

On 28 April 2016, a road traffic incident took place in London when a police officer from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) was travelling in an unmarked police vehicle with both lights and sirens activated. The officer contravened a keep left sign, drove the vehicle on the wrong side of the road in order to avoid waiting behind vehicles at a red light, and hit a pedestrian who was crossing the road. The pedestrian suffered a fractured ankle.

During the course of the investigation, we interviewed the police officer under misconduct caution, reviewed CCTV evidence and interviewed witnesses.

We also reviewed local and national guidance on police driving, which states that legal exemptions to traffic regulations can apply to police officers using emergency equipment (such as blue lights and sirens on) while driving. Officers need to be able to demonstrate that using these exemptions is justifiable and proportionate in the circumstances.

We determined that there was sufficient evidence upon which a reasonable tribunal could find gross misconduct in respect of the officer, as he may not have been justified in using his exemptions, and the use of them may not have been proportionate or necessary. We were also of the opinion that the officer’s standard of driving may have fallen below the standard expected of him.

After considering our report and rationale, the MPS agreed in September 2017 to hold a gross misconduct hearing for the officer.

At the gross misconduct hearing held in September 2018 the independent panel found the allegations against the police officer not proven.