That video and the accompanying text actually raise a few questions, such as:
- Assuming that the conviction for Dangerous Driving was based upon the acts of overtaking on the left and high speed lane-splitting by Roberts, wasn't PC Hills guilty of the same acts and therefore also engaged in Dangerous Driving? Surely if the standard of driving is dangerous it is a serious offence, regardless of whether the person involved is a civilian or a police officer?
- Why did PC Hills not just radio ahead to have Roberts stopped - after all he had evidence recorded of the offences subsequently charged after the first occurrence, so why continue the pursuit?
- My understanding is that Hills was riding an unmarked bike, but that it was fitted with "blues and twos". If that's the case, why did he (apparently) engage in a lengthy covert pursuit, and not use the lights / siren at the first opportunity to alert Roberts to his presence?
As I understand it, there is an exemption for Police Officers to exceed the speed limit if it's necessary to do so in performance of their duties, but I don't recall there being any provision for Police Officers to drive at speeds inappropriate for the conditions, nor to lane-split at high speeds if it unnecessarily endangers them or the public. I also take issue with Sergeant Nick Edwards' comment that 'The levels of harm to which Paul Roberts subjected himself, his pillion passenger, the public
and my officer are just beyond comprehension'. Roberts may have subjected the first three to danger, but it was entirely PC Hills' choice to undertake the pursuit and to continue it for as long as he did, in the way that he did.