Police driver legislation: Let’s get this law change over the finish line

POLICING needs to ‘stay the course’ when it comes to getting legislative change for police drivers, Essex Police Federation is urging.

A recent HMICFRS public poll showed there is backing for a change in the law which would allow police drivers more protection from prosecution when they are driving in pursuit or in response.

At the moment, officers are subject to the same legal tests as members of the public and their extra training and experience cannot be used in mitigation should they be involved in careless or dangerous driving cases.

Changing the law also has widespread cross-party political support.

Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor says he understands the frustrations around the pace of any change but says now is not the time to start criticising the Government.

“We’ve seen change come at a snail’s pace in the area of driver legislation and protections for police drivers. But for the first time in a while, we are starting to see some progress now. In good faith, we’ve been negotiating with the powers that be on this issue, and to turn around now and upset that position through our own making, namely start doing something a bit more rebellious, I think is short-sighted,” he said.

The long campaigned for change has picked up several MP advocates and Steve says the tactics now must be to keep pushing it up the political agenda.

“We’ve invested almost eight years [into the campaign] now. Let’s try and just get this over the finishing line and then take a view and look to build on what we walk away with.

“I think advocating any other form of action at this stage would be a little foolhardy. Particularly as we’re moving in the right direction, albeit at a snail’s pace.

“I’m not surprised to see the Government have agreed to do things and then not put a timeframe in place to accomplish it.

“So, we have to continue to try and hold them to account to these promises that they make. We must try and keep it on the radar and ensure we get the change we need, to the benefit of our members.

“If the Government renege on what they’ve promised if at any point we start to see back steps being taken as opposed to small steps forward, then we can review where we are. But Let’s hold the course. If there’s a material change then we can quite legitimately change our position and perhaps we’ll advocate something a bit stronger,” he added.

“But we are where we are now, and we should see it through until we get this on the statute book and get the protection that our drivers need.”