Police actions prior to a fatal road accident - Derbyshire Constabulary, August 2017

On 21 August 2017, a young man who was a passenger in a vehicle died in a road traffic collision in Derbyshire. A Derbyshire Constabulary officer had been pursuing the vehicle prior to the collision.

The driver of the vehicle later appeared in court and admitted causing death by dangerous driving. He was jailed for six years.

During our investigation, investigators reviewed the police witness statements prepared for the criminal prosecution; examined the in-car police footage from the police vehicle and CCTV footage from along the route of the pursuit; and reviewed collision investigation data and documentation.

All the evidence indicated that the officer had acted appropriately and in accordance with policy and procedure. In our opinion, the actions of the officer were necessary, proportionate and reasonable.

We found no indication that any person serving with the police may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings.