Page 12 - Federation magazine: February / March 2017

Police pursuits

Emergency service
drivers: ‘more
protection needed’

The Police Federation is continuing to in the law. officer as a ‘good man’ who is ‘on our side’,
push for a change in the law around Tim is pushing for the change so officers but said he had broken the law because by
all emergency police drivers who it is who are involved in collisions while being on a motorcycle, the rider was deemed
currently evidenced are not adequately responding to incidents or in pursuits are to be a ‘vulnerable’ road user.
protected from prosecution when carrying protected from being prosecuted for careless The officer was cleared of any
out their duties responsibly. and dangerous driving offences. wrongdoing after an ordeal lasting more
West Midlands Police Federation deputy It follows a number of prosecutions than 18 months.
secretary Tim Rogers, the Federation’s going through the courts where officers In another case involving a police pursuits
national lead on pursuits, wants to see the have only been spared jail thanks to the driver, Judge Watson QC said: “After all you,
legislation changed to protect officers who judges involved, however, the toll on them and your family has been through, it would
are on duty and ‘doing their job’. and their families has been high. be an affront to natural justice if you were to
As part of the campaign, he is seeking In one case, a policeman was accused of face any other internal disciplinary
the support of the National Police Chiefs’ driving dangerously after colliding with a procedure. I hope that will not be the case. It
Council (NPCC) lead for pursuits– who has motorbike being ridden by the son of a only remains for me to say it is a pleasure to
said he would only support a partial change Toxteth anti-gun campaigner, who was say you can go free from court.”
serving a suspended sentence. The existing legislation means currently
The prosecution barrister described the emergency response drives are illegal and

12 federation February/March 2017 www.westmidspolfed.com