Following a report earlier this week of a Derbyshire Constabulary officer facing dismissal in the aftermath of crashing a police vehicle he was driving (read full article here), notice of another similar incident has been posted on the West Yorkshire Police website.
On Monday 25th March, 2024 a two day hearing will open at WYP HQ in Wakefield where the following allegations of misconduct will be heard against Police Constable Dominic Downs:
Standards of professional behavior that have allegedly been breached
- Honesty and integrity
- Orders and instructions
- Duties and responsibilities
- Conduct
Circumstances of Alleged Breaches
It is alleged that;
1. On 11th April 2023, at around 09:29 hours and whilst on duty PC Downs reversed a police van which resulted in a collision with a parked Audi Vehicle (hereafter referred to as the Audi).
2. The impact caused the police van to come to an abrupt halt, the Audi bounced backwards and there was an audible noise.
3. After the collision, PC Downs pulled the police van forward, exited the vehicle and looked at the Audi.
4. PC Downs left the scene without providing details to the owner or leaving them on the Audi.
5. PC Downs did not report the collision to his supervisor.
6. A member of public reported the collision.
7. PC Downs falsely denied knowledge of the collision when it was brought to his attention by a supervisor.
8. In the circumstances described at 2 above PC Downs knew there had been a collision.
If found guilty of gross misconduct one of the sanctions open to the Panel hearing the allegations is dismissal without notice.
The force has neither named any member of that Panel or the Legally Qualified Chair.
No details have been given as to which unit, department or district PC Downs was attached.
No explanation has been provided regarding the delay, of just under a year, in bringing these proceedings. It is also not known to the public (or the press) whether PC Downs remained on normal duties after the incident was reported, was placed on restricted duties or suspended.
Page last updated: Friday 22nd March, 2024 at 1215 hours
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Picture credit: WYP
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