Cop who sped through countryside 'for no apparent reason' and hit hare is sacked
A police officer who tore through country lanes at 91mph “for no apparent reason” and hit a hare has been sacked.
PC Ryan Lee was speeding towards Worksop using his blue lights on April 26 last year when he hit the animal causing "significant damage" to the car, a misconduct hearing at Nottinghamshire Police's Sherwood Lodge headquarters heard. Lee had dropped a colleague off in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire and was heading back to Bassetlaw town where he was based as a response officer.
He sped back through country lanes with his emergency lights on - despite having no legitimate reason to do so. During the hearing, Chief Constable Kate Meynell, the police officer admitted his actions amounted to a gross level of misconduct. The Nottinghamshire Police officer who joined the force in 2020, had been doing 80 mph in a 60 mph zone as he went to drop off his colleague, who was returned to Rainworth at 11pm.
Upon returning to Rainworth after going 80mph in a 60mph area, PC Lee activated his blue lights and reached speeds of 88 mph to overtake a car on the A617. Minutes later at 11.05pm he struck the small creature at more than 90 mph. The officer continued driving for more than 3 miles until he stopped at a service station to report the damage to his supervisor. Liz Briggs, presenting counsel for Nottinghamshire Police, said the collision had caused "significant damage" to the response car.
PC Lee pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Sheffield Magistrates Court on February 27 and is due at Sheffield Crown Court on March 26. Ms Briggs explained that there had been a financial cost to the force but emphasised the main issue being that PC Lee's conduct could undermine public confidence. She acknowledged that PC Lee had not attempted to hide what he had done however she added he had "acted in a nature that was against force policy and the law."
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She said that had the officer been driving to an emergency then his standard of driving would have been acceptable, but he was not. PC Lee's Police Federation representative said the officer had been "very open and forthcoming" about his misconduct and explained that he was usually an exemplary employee."[He] consistently exceeds expectations," Mr Skelton said, adding his "work ethic was beyond reproach".
The staff association representative, who spoke on behalf of PC Lee, said the officer had shown remorse and "not only disappointed himself but also knows he's let down members of the public and his colleagues." Mr Skelton expressed his hope that PC Lee would not be dismissed, reasoning that "his contributions far outweigh this misstep."
The Chief Constable dismissed PC Lee without notice and he was put on the barred list. Ms Meynell said: “Driving in the manner PC Lee drove meant he posed a serious risk to other drivers.” The Chief Constable accepted there was “significant evidence of remorse” but decided the misconduct was “serious.” She added his conduct was “in sharp contrast” to police policy, and his character references from colleagues. Ms Meynell added: “The impropriety of a single officer can diminish public confidence in the police.”
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