Page 17 - WMPF Federation June-July2018-flip_Neat

‘Cautious welcome’ to

Government plans to consult

on pursuit drivers law changes

Officers can currently be prosecuted for be able to do their jobs and keep the public
simply doing their job and the changes they safe.”
had hoped for when the Emergency In announcing the consultation, the
Response Drivers (Protections) Bill was due Home Office says that the changes it is
to be read in Parliament on 16 March never considering would send a clear message that
arrived because the bill was delayed at the criminals cannot escape arrest simply by
11th hour. driving recklessly. They aim to ‘smash the
Under current law, the same legal test myth’ that officers cannot pursue riders who
for careless and dangerous driving offences are not wearing helmets by making it clear
is applied to both police officers and the that a suspect is responsible for their own
general public. decision to drive dangerously, and that
Police have expressed concern that blame should not be attached to the
officers have to rely on Crown Prosecution pursuing officer.
Service (CPS) discretion to avoid prosecution The Government is consulting on a
and face lengthy Independent Office for separate test for police drivers that would
Police Conduct (IOPC) investigations and require:
suspension from duty, only to be cleared l an officer to drive to the standard of a
eventually. careful and competent police driver of a
Tim Rogers.
Tim, who has been spearheading the similar level of training and skill; and
est Midlands Police Federation’s Federation’s campaign for legislative change, l that the driving tactics employed,
deputy secretary Tim Rogers has said: “We welcome this announcement as it including any exemptions from road
Wgiven no more than a ‘cautious is unacceptable to have officers trained to traffic legislation, such as speed limits, or
welcome’ to news that the Government is to drive in a way that exposes them to contact with a suspect vehicle, are
consult on proposed changes to the law in prosecution merely for doing the job the authorised appropriately and are both
relation to trained pursuits drivers. public expect of them. necessary and proportionate.
Doubling up in his role as the Police “But I stress this is a cautious welcome. Police minister Nick Hurd, said: “Police
Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) This has been an issue we have been officers must have the confidence to pursue
pursuits lead, Tim was active at the national campaigning on now for seven years, and suspects where it is safe to do so and
Police Federation conference in Birmingham although it is a positive step that the criminals should be in no doubt that they
and reacted to the news from the Home Government have finally agreed that a will not get away with a crime by simply
Office. legislation change is required, they must driving recklessly. Our proposed changes will
Yet, while he said the announcement now act quickly to prevent more officers make sure that skilled police drivers who
was a step in the right direction, he voiced suffering unnecessary and often mendacious follow their rigorous training are protected,
concern over the amount of time it was prosecutions. while ensuring the minority of officers who
taking to reduce the threat of prosecution “It is crucial we protect the people who do cross the line are robustly held to
for officers in pursuit of dangerous threats. protect us and give them the confidence to account.”

OUR R EP SAY S :

“The session was good, clearly heartfelt, a case I had not actually people.
Chris Bryant stood out, probably heard of until joining the Federation. “Tim delivered a good speech,
because he was very pro-police. It was very raw and his emotion however, I don’t think he promoted
“I think the Federation is doing really hits you. His case should be himself enough as to how hard he has
all it can to protect people given the highlighted more as it’s not the first fought and how hard he has worked
challenges it faces with legislation. and won’t be the last I’m sure. Maybe to get new legislation for everyone. He
I do feel that we should promote consideration for him to present to new represents the organisation and, in my
some good cases where we have starters? Or his story at least? Just to opinion, needs to let people know the
successfully supported members; raise awareness? And also to highlight extremely hard fight he has had and
people are not aware of the the positive impact the Federation can what he has done for serving officers
ongoing support that is given. have as he spoke very highly of the across the country and future officers.
“If they were aware, we may support we had given him. What he has achieved, and has
get some more general positive “I am concerned regarding fought for, is massive and will change
feedback. driving for all members, and I have policing for the better.”
“Vaughan, obviously, was been feeding back not to do it until West Midlands representative
very impactive and his input was legislation has changed to protect Dawn Murkett

www.westmidspolfed.com federation June/July 2018 17