A rookie officer received a final warning for speeding during a 999 call that resulted in a serious pedestrian injury
Stockport: So, there was this rookie cop, PC Boris McDohl, who got into a bit of a pickle. He was responding to a 999 call on Boxing Day 2020 when things went south. A teenage pedestrian ended up with severe brain damage after a crash involving a police car.
McDohl, who had only been on the force for a year, was driving over the speed limit—59 mph in a 30 mph zone—while trying to catch up with another officer. He thought he was doing the right thing by rushing to help out with a violent situation involving a guy with a knife.
After a disciplinary hearing, they decided he acted in good faith and gave him a final written warning instead of firing him. The panel felt he was young in his career and didn’t have enough experience to make the best judgment call that night.
It’s a tough situation. The other officer involved, PC Sarah De Meulemeester, was found guilty of dangerous driving and got a prison sentence. It’s just a tragic reminder of how quickly things can go wrong in emergency situations.
McDohl was working long hours and was under pressure to respond quickly. He and another officer thought it was best to back up De Meulemeester, who was alone at the scene. But in the chaos, he ended up speeding and crashing into a police car, which then hit the pedestrian.
After the hearing, the Assistant Chief Constable expressed sympathy for the victim’s family, emphasizing the risks officers face and the serious consequences of their decisions. It’s a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved.
