by An on-duty police officer was found guilty of gross misconduct after ignoring orders and going on a police chase at 102mph that resulted in a man’s death.
Pc Jared Brereton of Lincolnshire Police, along with passenger Pc Phoebe Chambers, followed 25-year-old Kyle Johnson at high speed near Skegness – despite being told not to continue the chase and having received no training in the matter – before Mr Johnson crashed at 11 p.m. on March 4 last year. It crashed into a tree on the A52 just after 00.
A five-month investigation by the police watchdog Independent Office of Police Behavior (IOPC) revealed that footage and vehicle data showed the Pc Brereton traveling 92 to 102 mph for 39 seconds and only when the marked car turned off its lights and sirens. He noticed that Mr Johnson had fallen.
After a four-day hearing at Lincolnshire Police Station in Nettleham, an independent panel found that Pc Brereton had violated standards of professional conduct in terms of orders and instructions and duties and responsibilities.
Legally qualified chairman David Tyme has been acquitted of disreputable conduct and violating standards of honesty and integrity, as he has made it clear that his actions did not cause Mr Johnson’s downfall, the BBC reported.
In a statement released Jan. 12, the force said Pc Brereton was given a final written warning after the violations were determined to constitute gross misconduct.
Pc Chambers was cleared of three violations of professional conduct standards, including accusing him of failing to appeal or report the incident despite knowing the pursuit was unauthorized.
Derrick Campbell, IOPC regional director, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Mr Johnson’s family at this difficult time for them.
“From the evidence we gathered, it was clear that Pc Brereton knew he had to follow policy by disabling emergency equipment, going astray, and going in a different direction following a no-follow instruction.
“Despite instructions, Pc Brereton continued to advance at high speed until just before the tragic collision.
“The disciplinary committee has determined that gross misconduct has been proven and the final written warning will remain on its record for two years.”
According to the BBC, a representative from Lincolnshire Police said at the hearing that Mr Johnson’s family, who had met both Pc Brereton and Pc Chambers, said the officers were no longer responsible for the death and did not want either of them removed from duty.
