Police drivers set to receive better protection thanks to new legislation

22 February 2021

Police drivers will receive better protection in the courts thanks to new legislation due in the autumn.

The recently renamed Protection of the Police and Public, Courts and Sentencing Bill will introduce a new test for police drivers.

The Police Federation of England and Wales’ Tim Rogers explained: “As the law stands, police officers can be prosecuted if they drive outside of norms for a typical driver. We’ve seen too many officers facing years of conduct or criminal investigation for dangerous driving when in reality they had been using their skills and training to do the job they were asked to do. This has now been addressed and the new bill introduces a new test for police drivers.”

Following the introduction of the new law, officers will be regarded as driving dangerously only if the way they drive falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful constable who has undertaken the prescribed training or it would be obvious to such a competent and careful constable that driving in that way would be dangerous.

The Federation now plans to push for consistency in force policy around the country so that officers are not inadvertly exposed to the risk of prosecution.

Tim added: “All police drivers will have to drive and perform tactics exactly as they have been trained. Your average motorist probably never drives exactly as they did on their test but that is not an option for police drivers.

“The training is there for a reason. Driving a car at speed or contrary to any road signs or restrictions in place comes at a risk and that risk is only mitigated by officers following their training to the letter