Member thanks Fed for ‘unbelievable support’

25 April 2024

A West Mercia Police officer who was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving and of causing death by careless driving has told of the ‘unbelievable support’ she has received from the Federation since the accident in January 2022. 

The trial, which had been due to start this month, did not go ahead after the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence in the case.

The officer, who has asked to remain anonymous, has since told how grateful she is to her Fed rep, branch chair, Steve Butler, and West Mercia Police Federation as a whole, for their unwavering support over the past two years.

She added that Steve was there on the night of the incident and he has been on the end of the phone any time she has needed him.

The member has been inspired to become a rep to help others.

“Having received such support, I cannot understand why people wouldn’t pay to be a member of the Federation. The support was unbelievable,” said the officer.

“We talked through the different paths the investigation could take and what the end result of those different paths could be. In my situation, the worst case was a prison sentence - something that has always been in the back of my mind.” 

She also heaped praise on her welfare sergeant and the Force, stating that they too, had been incredibly supportive.

The officer says that since the incident, her thoughts have remained with the family of the male who died after his vehicle was involved in a collision with the police car she was driving while responding to an emergency assistance call. And she is acutely aware that it is not only her that continues to be affected throughout the long process.  

She continued: “There will be a Coroner’s Court hearing in 2025. I know that it’s not just another year for me, it’s another year for his family which doesn’t seem fair. 

“The Coroner’s Court hearing is not due until next year and there’s the misconduct side of things to go through too.  His family keep having it brought up as well.”

The officer went on to say her experience over the past two years has inspired her to become a Fed rep, supporting her colleagues.  

“It would be a really nice way to support people who are going through what I’m going through,” she added. 

“I can’t thank the Fed enough, and it might be a way of giving back.”  

West Mercia Federation chair Steve Butler said: “The officer involved has never been in trouble before and responded to an emergency call like any officer would do. This could happen to anyone.  

“As a Fed rep, you’re supporting an officer who fears potentially going to prison. For two years, I’ve helped her as much as I can, whether that’s providing legal guidance or welfare support. 

“It’s been difficult for everyone involved. The lives of two families have been turned completely upside down.”

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