2 Police Officers Now Charged...

[choux]

...with Gross Misconduct after allegedly chasing boys on e-bike.
Breaking news so no immediate link.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12120565/Police-van-following-two-teens-minutes-fatal-crash-half-mile-away-time-cop-says.html

[barry1010]

Who would be a police officer today? They can't do right for doing wrong

[choux]

No, surely the point is whether they did right or wrong in this instance?

[retrocop]

Either it is illegal to use these privately owned e-scooters on a public thoroughfare or it is not!! If it is illegal how can police prevent there use other than being mobile themselves? A foot duty officer, if there are any now will have little chance. I saw now evidence of a police pursuit by the van with blues and twos etc. So now two officers are charged for gross misconduct. No wonder they are demoralised and working with their hands tied. Of course the boy's parents aren't culpable for their kids behaviour are they? Very sad ending but a lesson for parents about what they let there children use on a public road.

[choux]

I have understood for some time that the police have to treat the pursuit of 2-wheeled transport with the utmost caution, whether or not riders wear helmets. There is a secondary point in using such transport illegally. I understand your view, Retrocop but fail to see it can help the officers now or possibly in court at a later date.

[barry1010]

I think it was two lads on one ebike, not escooter

[choux]

Deskdiary, it was eased somewhere, I saw a video in a news article. However, I have no doubt the police would be judged overall if any injuries were sustained by the riders. It puts a tremendous burden on the police to act on a split second personal judgement.

[barry1010]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-65893769

[retrocop]

On closer examination it is a e-bike .A tandem it aint so a pillion passenger should not be on it as the rider clearly couldn’t control it which results in fatal consequences. Police van half a mile away at time of e-bike crashed by the rider.

[bednobs]

can you be "charged" with gross miisconduct?

[retrocop]

In a police disciplinary board you can apparently.

[emeritus]

They haven’t been charged with anything. They have been served notices of gross misconduct. Thrse notices are to advise officers that their conduct is under investigation and does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will follow.

[douglas9401]

Ho hum, tragedy, thoughts and prayers, in a better place, etc, ad nauseam.

[Hopkirk]

The police van was half a mile away because they went through a route with bollards so the police van had to take a different route.

[retrocop]

So? The kids knew they were in the wrong and made the wrong decision. They dodged down a alleyway thinking they were outsmarting the filth and became a fatal cropper. Sorry but I don't believe two officer's career should be examined as a result of two young miscreants breaking the law and suffering the consequences for their wrongdoings. The parents of these kids should suffer for this tragedy. Not the Police.

[barry1010]

Fully agree with you, Retro. There are parents near me who accuse me of being a spoil sport because I object to their young children riding round on public footpaths, canal towpaths and nature trails on illegal off road bikes without helmets, insurance or respect. Thankfully the police do react and seize the bikes.
These kids also ride their offroad motorbikes on the roads, tormenting drivers by playing chicken at roundabouts, traffic lights and busy junctions. Torment horse riders on the bridal paths, too.

The parents think their kids have the right to do what the hell they like. If anything goes wrong, it seems to be everyone else's fault, though.

[choux]

Time will tell, hopefully. From that timed video it appeared, to me anyway, that the police van was very close in its pursuit of the e.bike. I thought that police pursuing vehicles had to keep in radio contact with whoever is in command of the situation at the police station.

The last thing I would want is for the driver of the van and/or colleague to be treated as scapegoats, especially to appease a baying mob. The parents and families of the 2 boys deserve a full investigation of course.

[Paul22118]

They were good boys really, cheeky boys who loved their granny etc etc etc

[bednobs]

who amongst us has not given our friends a 'backie' when we were younger. what actual law did they break?

[Vagus]

A backy on a pedal bike is very different to an e bike though, Bednobs, they go a heck of a lot faster.