I have no idea if his version is true or not, but it wouldn't surprise me. A police constable's role depends on them having common sense, some do, some I'm less sure about.
When I was a lot younger than I am today, I recall one day sitting on my moped outside my parent's house, trying to discover why the engine noise didn't sound right. Just sat there, revving occasionally listening, trying to work out what was up. And alongside pulls this police car. "Where's your helmet ?" "But I'm not riding, I'm just sat here trying to see what's wrong." "Where's your helmet ?" "But I won't be able to hear properly if I have a helmet on." "Where's your helmet ?" There are times you just have to give up on someone.