Menu
19/11/2015
Police Officer Disciplined For Failing To Investigate Collision
A police officer has been disciplined after she failed to investigate a traffic accident in Coleraine because she did not realise there had been a collision, a Police Ombudsman investigation has confirmed.
The officer failed to investigate a collision between a motorcyclist and a van driver, because she believed the biker had simply lost control and fallen off while braking to avoid the other vehicle.
The collision happened last November.
The motorcyclist sustained injuries requiring hospital treatment and later lodged a complaint with the Police Ombudsman's Office about the police investigation of the incident.
He complained that police had failed to record it as a collision resulting in serious injuries, had been sarcastic towards him, and had failed to take breath tests from both parties.
He also said police failed to contact him afterwards to get his account or find out about the extent of his injuries, and accused them of 'fobbing him off' when he raised his concerns.
When interviewed by a Police Ombudsman investigator, the investigating police officer said she had not been informed that the two vehicles had collided, and therefore believed it was a matter for both parties' insurance companies to sort out, rather than for a police investigation.
The officer said she had not been told that there had been a collision.
She accepted that while she had taken a breath test from the van driver, she had not done so from the motorcyclist as she had not considered it necessary.
She also stated that she had returned some items to the motorcyclist's wife at the hospital after the collision, but said that she had not spoken to him as he was being treated at the time, and made no further contact to check on his condition.
A statement was also obtained from the van driver, who said he was aware there had been a collision and believed police at the scene had been told. Another police officer confirmed that he had been told at the scene that there had been a collision.
Photographs retrieved from police, taken some weeks after the collision, also showed that the van had sustained some minor impact damage.
The Police Ombudsman recommended that the officer should be disciplined for failing to investigate the collision, and the PSNI has since implemented the recommendation.
The officer's supervisor was also disciplined after the investigation found that some comments he had made during a meeting with the motorcyclist were not clear or accurate.
The investigation concluded, however, that there was insufficient evidence that police had been sarcastic to the motorcyclist, or that officers had tried to fob him off.
The collision has been reinvestigated by the police, resulting in the van driver being convicted of a driving offence.
(CD/JP)
The officer failed to investigate a collision between a motorcyclist and a van driver, because she believed the biker had simply lost control and fallen off while braking to avoid the other vehicle.
The collision happened last November.
The motorcyclist sustained injuries requiring hospital treatment and later lodged a complaint with the Police Ombudsman's Office about the police investigation of the incident.
He complained that police had failed to record it as a collision resulting in serious injuries, had been sarcastic towards him, and had failed to take breath tests from both parties.
He also said police failed to contact him afterwards to get his account or find out about the extent of his injuries, and accused them of 'fobbing him off' when he raised his concerns.
When interviewed by a Police Ombudsman investigator, the investigating police officer said she had not been informed that the two vehicles had collided, and therefore believed it was a matter for both parties' insurance companies to sort out, rather than for a police investigation.
The officer said she had not been told that there had been a collision.
She accepted that while she had taken a breath test from the van driver, she had not done so from the motorcyclist as she had not considered it necessary.
She also stated that she had returned some items to the motorcyclist's wife at the hospital after the collision, but said that she had not spoken to him as he was being treated at the time, and made no further contact to check on his condition.
A statement was also obtained from the van driver, who said he was aware there had been a collision and believed police at the scene had been told. Another police officer confirmed that he had been told at the scene that there had been a collision.
Photographs retrieved from police, taken some weeks after the collision, also showed that the van had sustained some minor impact damage.
The Police Ombudsman recommended that the officer should be disciplined for failing to investigate the collision, and the PSNI has since implemented the recommendation.
The officer's supervisor was also disciplined after the investigation found that some comments he had made during a meeting with the motorcyclist were not clear or accurate.
The investigation concluded, however, that there was insufficient evidence that police had been sarcastic to the motorcyclist, or that officers had tried to fob him off.
The collision has been reinvestigated by the police, resulting in the van driver being convicted of a driving offence.
(CD/JP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
21 April 2016
Officer Disciplined For Failing To Properly Investigate Assault On Boy
A police officer has been disciplined after failing to properly investigate an allegation that a man annoyed by children playing football near his car, attacked a 12-year-old boy by kicking him on the hand.
Officer Disciplined For Failing To Properly Investigate Assault On Boy
A police officer has been disciplined after failing to properly investigate an allegation that a man annoyed by children playing football near his car, attacked a 12-year-old boy by kicking him on the hand.
06 August 2014
Police Vehicle Contracts Arrest - Man Released
A 54-year-old member of police staff who was arrested in County Antrim as part of ongoing investigations into the awarding of vehicle contracts has been released. The man was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and has been taken to a police station in Belfast for questioning.
Police Vehicle Contracts Arrest - Man Released
A 54-year-old member of police staff who was arrested in County Antrim as part of ongoing investigations into the awarding of vehicle contracts has been released. The man was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and has been taken to a police station in Belfast for questioning.
28 March 2007
House of Lords vote for ‘50/50’ police force
The House of Lords has renewed the 50/50 recruitment rule for the PSNI by a majority of 44. It puts into practice a recommendation made in 1999 by Lord Patten that the local police force should be split evenly between Catholics and Protestants. The result of the vote was 141 to 97.
House of Lords vote for ‘50/50’ police force
The House of Lords has renewed the 50/50 recruitment rule for the PSNI by a majority of 44. It puts into practice a recommendation made in 1999 by Lord Patten that the local police force should be split evenly between Catholics and Protestants. The result of the vote was 141 to 97.
30 November 2017
Eight PSNI Officers Disciplined Following Two High Speed Car Chases
Eight police officers have been disciplined after two high speed car chases in which one person died and three others were seriously injured. The Police Ombudsman found that the officers had breached police pursuit policy.
Eight PSNI Officers Disciplined Following Two High Speed Car Chases
Eight police officers have been disciplined after two high speed car chases in which one person died and three others were seriously injured. The Police Ombudsman found that the officers had breached police pursuit policy.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
