A policeman in the UK who was prosecuted for dangerous driving after he lost control of his vehicle while he was responding to a terrorist stabbing attack in London was acquitted Friday.
According to BBC, the court heard that PC Paul Fisher was driving at 80 miles per hour and ran into a taxi then another car and wall in the accident. The three people that were involved were not seriously injured.
The lights on the police car were not on before the crash because one of the three occupants in the vehicle had accidentally switched them off.
In the trial, Fisher acknowledged that he made a mistake but said he was not driving recklessly and the crash was completely accidental.
"It was my mistake, I failed that day. I let people down and I can only apologise for that,” he said.
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said that the prosecution was “appalling.”
Following the verdict he stated the case "undermines the confidence of all officers using their powers to keep the public safe.
"No other country in the world would haul one of its most highly trained officers before a court for responding to one of the most serious incidents we can deal with and doing their utmost to preserve life."
Sudesh Amman, a released prisoner, took a kitchen knife from a hardware store and stabbed two random people in 2020. He was shot dead by police after he then charged at two undercover officers.
IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: "There is no doubt that PC Fisher was responding to a life-threatening incident in February 2020.
"A jury, having considered all of the evidence, has acquitted him of dangerous driving and we respect that decision."
The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) said it would be "liaising with the force on the next steps" which may include gross misconduct proceedings.
“I am very grateful the Home Office and Attorney General are conducting a thorough review to find a more appropriate balance for accountability. We will continue to support their officials in any way possible through this process,” Rowley stated.
