Hit-and-run scandal police officer given written warning

PC Ryan Hargrave was a front-seat passenger when a BMW X5 marked police vehicle failed to pull over after hitting the back of a woman’s car at almost 50mph.

The roads policing officer admitted at a misconduct meeting yesterday that he did not do enough to challenge the driver PC Karl Warren to pull over. 

And the victim, speaking after the hearing, accused PC Hargrave of being a "coward". 

The Norfolk police BMW crashing into the back of an Audi on the A146 (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

He also accepted that failing to report the crash until the following day had prevented proper accident procedures being followed, including his colleague not being breathalysed and drug tested. 

Superintendent Louis Provart, who chaired the meeting at police headquarters at Wymondham, told him his actions amounted to a “serious breach of duty”.

He said: “You did have a duty to ensure the police vehicle stopped and appropriate actions were taken in relation to the road traffic collision. 

“And it is accepted by yourself that there should have been a firm response to PC Warren who was driving.” 

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PC Warren claimed he had no memory of the crash, which occurred on the A146 between Beccles and Lowestoft in March 2022.

The hit and run crash occurred on the A146 at Barnby Bends, between Beccles and Lowestoft (Image: Newsquest)

The scandal, which has been dubbed 'Amnesiagate', later saw Norfolk Constabulary criticised by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for its decision to drop misconduct charges against PC Warren.

The IOPC said too much emphasis had been placed on “contradictory and conflicting” medical evidence that he was suffering from amnesia.

Norfolk police has since accepted its finding that PC Warren should face a separate misconduct hearing, where the maximum outcome could be his dismissal from the force.

‘SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE BULLISH’

Appearing before his own misconduct meeting - where the maximum penalty was a final written warning - PC Hargrave, who was new to the Roads and Armed Policing Team (RAPT), said the day of the crash had been the first time he had worked with PC Warren. 

Matt Gould, representing him on behalf of Norfolk Police Federation, the body which supports rank-and-file officers, said: “He admits he should have been more bullish and challenged PC Warren on why he did not stop and return to check on the welfare of the victim and report the incident and his concerns.”

Dashcam showing the woman driver indicating and pulling off the road following the collision (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)The police BMW X5 armed response vehicle continues without stopping (Image: Norfolk (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

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An investigation into the incident conducted by Norfolk police professional standards had concluded there had “ample opportunities” to report the crash. 

But Mr Gould claimed the proximity to the end of the work shift had given PC Hargrave limited time to raise the issue. 

“Although he could have been firmer in his words, he did not just go along with events. There can be no suggestion that his actions were in any way dishonest,” he said. 

“PC Hargrave reported the collision to the departmental supervisor, Sgt Minnis, at the first opportunity he had the following morning.”

Mr Gould said the officer had since made “full and frank admissions”. 

“It goes without saying he has learnt from this experience,” he added.

‘SERIOUS BREACH OF DUTY’

Superintendent Louis Provart told PC Hargrave he had taken into account his previous good record, character references and his mitigation but had concluded his actions were a “serious breach of duty and professional behaviour”.

Superintendent Louis Provart chaired the misconduct meeting of PC Ryan Hargrave (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “Having reviewed the evidence on the balance of probabilities, such behaviour breaches the standards of professional behaviour applicable to all police officers in respect of being diligent in the execution of their duties and responsibilities and requirement to challenge and report improper behaviour.”

He said the delay in reporting had prevented welfare checks on the victim and actions to investigate the crash from taking place immediately. 

“I believe this conduct is sufficiently serious that it is not appropriate for this to be handled through reflective practice review or through another performance review process, therefore I believe the most appropriate outcome is a written warning,” he said.

PC Hargrave has a right to appeal against the finding. 

‘JUSTICE AT LAST’

The woman driver, from Norwich, who was involved in the crash attended the disciplinary meeting and welcomed the outcome.

"PC Hargrave was a coward for not reporting it. But more than 18 months since I was hit by PC Warren, I finally feel some kind of justice is being done," she said.

Norfolk chief constable Paul Sanford has publicly apologised over handling of the hit-and-run case (Image: Jason Bye)

"This has been a long and arduous process which has been mishandled at almost every turn by Norfolk police. 

"That said, I welcome the punishment handed out to PC Hargrave. Although he was not driving the car he didn't report it - why exactly perhaps we will never know. 

"I hope he has learnt that his job as a police officer should be to protect the public. At the time of the smash and the hours afterwards his conduct fell way below what it should have been and he will have to live with that for the rest of his career."