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Scott, I slightly disagree with you. The IPCC have a duty to investigate any complaint made to them relating to any police force and they will have fully investigated this tragic case and they also supported the prosecution of Searles. Professional Standards teams across the country also work hard to try and combat corrupt officers or officers that use and abuse their position within the service. There are still people within the service that are corrupt and use the job to their advantage but the relentless work by both the IPCC and professional standards is targeting these officers and trying to make the once admired british police service, one to be envious of.

As for your comment “The standard of the police service in my area (Thames Valley) is very poor indeed “ I cannot comment on your individual circumstances but if you were unhappy with the service you received from Thames Valley Police then report it. You then go onto say “they have a reputation locally for being incompetent, unprofessional and lazy” ok, but where is the evidence of this and has it been presented to Thames Valley Professional Standards?

You may be thinking that because I am in the job I am defending the police, I am not in any way but if you have evidence that your local force is lazy/unprofessional you must report it so that it can be addressed. If you had a bad meal at a restaurant or had a lousy stay at a hotel you would report it wouldn’t you?

- Non Met Cop, Thames Valley

This once again highlights the misconduct and incompetence found within the Police force!
This type of thing and many other incidents of misconduct happen very frequently although most times nobody gets killed! Most time the Police get away with it, and even if it is reported they just say that there is “not enough evidence” to even pursue a complaint let alone make a prosecution!
Even the IPCC take this approach and are known for being biased & lenient towards the police when any complaint is made.
Normally acts of misconduct and incompetence get covered up as they do not want the public to hear about them, and they will also have a large number of excuses ready for why its “not our fault” and have done “nothing wrong” etc etc … this is the function of the “Professional Standards Dept” within each police force and who’s purpose it is to gloss over such incidents and avoid them being made public.
The standard of the police service in my area (Thames Valley) is very poor indeed and they have a reputation locally for being incompetent, unprofessional and lazy and also abusing their position as police officers on many occasions. It seems however that this is now not only a local problem but a national one!
A police officer is meant to uphold the law and set an example to the public but infact they do just the opposite. It is for this reason that any officer who breaks the law should have the sentence doubled what would normally be given to any other member of the public!

- Scott, Banbury

My comment to 'Scotty from London' you clearly can't read. My comment to the Thames Valley officer, I wish there were more Police like you rather than the drum of Police apologists.

I read in another report that the officer, at the outset lied that he was in pursuit of a stolen car. When this turned out to be untrue, why hasn't the 'Met Maverick' also been charged with Perverting the course of Justice?

Or is it the Police are immune from prosecution for lying? (I very much suspect this is the case!)

- Mark Andrews, London

This story is tragic, SEARLES should have got 14 years, 6 is pathetic and he will no doubt be out in 3. I am a Police Officer and I use a patrol vehicle to respond to genuine (what we called Immediate Response) incidents. But you need authority to do this and only on a genuine shout. All our cars are fitted with data recorders that track every move you do and i wouldnt have it any other way. Searles deserves everything he gets and I hope he has hell in prison. They know he is a cop so he will do. I also hope both his Sergeant and Inspector also get booted out for letting him use an IRV for nothing more than 'Personal Errands'. My thoughts go out to the simpson family.

- Non Met Cop, Thames Valley

6 years for murder!

- Zznhl, London

Why was this cop "given permission to deliver a birthday card to his sister"? This is a cultural problem, isn't it? Using the 'firm's car' on personal business and in the 'firm's time'? Just remind us, who is paying for this casual use (and abuse) of our taxes?

- Chuck Unsworth, London

Met comment 'a single maverick officer', what like;

Apr 09 - Death of Ian Tomlinson

Jul 09 - Met officer fired for 'on duty sex' with vulnerable woman when sent to check her welfare

Aug 09 - Met officer arrested for rape on duty

Sep 09 - Met officer arrested for rape, after visiting victim of domestic violence incident. (see standard 24/09/09)

Oh the list could go on & on, just another Maverick London Cop.... and then there is this clown who appeared on youtube shooting on a london rooftop, I guess yet another, non typical, maverick Metropolitan Police officer.

http://www.youtube.com/user/brilliantminds#p/a/u/1/qbks-FvSFVs

Sooner the commissionaire gets a grip on his Mavericks, the better for both the Met and the general Public.

My sincere thoughts to the family of Sandy, clearly a very beautiful and loved lady.

- Mark Andrews, London

I have often seen police cars burst into siren life, only to see them further up the road, they have often just used the siren to do what we would all like to do, get clear of the jams.
I agree with the other writers in hoping that the metropolitan and rural police forces are trained in above normal driving skills.
I learned my driving skills at Brands Hatch and Silverstone..have been in a car fire, leaking full fuel tank after a small chunk of metal ruptured it, two shunts, and ice skids, and other incidents..have survived all,by useing the skid patch skills etc. learnt.
Can I be assured that the drivers of normal patrol vehicles are given such training..because I note that it is not high speed trained police drivers that are involved in most of the incidents over the years, but the normal urban patrol cars and bikes, that are driven by what sometimes appears to be gung ho, lets impress the onlookers young drivers.
It is of no use to any persons if a person is killed or injured by an emergency vehicle responding to a call,and it must NOT be allowed to be the excuse used, professionalism is admired and thanked for, uniformed yobs are not required.
Oh and lets not have the usual response in the UK of wheeling out statistics.
We know all our policemen are wonderful, but then so are we.
We just don't get someone to say so on our behalf all the time.
Perhaps the public should have a federation rep. to wheel out and read a prepared text on our behalf.

- Charles Campbell-Wood, oxford

You hear these police cars and see thenm driving like maniacs,one has seconds to get off the road..how many are actually going to a scene of crime?

- Jean, London England

as usual the hysterics are out in force, but what is missing from this report is exactly what happened?

he was going 56 mph in a street designated as 30mph - a poor, and illegal choice no doubt. but not so fast that the details become irrelevant, and demonisation certain. human tragedy is not to be discounted, but the dull and prosaic need for blame and retribution shouldn't be fed either.

exactly how did he come to strike these poor, unlucky people? did he jump a light, ride a kerb, or were they where they shouldn't have been?

these questions are irrelevant when considering the human cost, but entirely pertinent when assessing the punishment that has been meted out.

- Scotty, London

What a pathetic sentence, hardy worth bothering. I don't understand why he didn't get the maximum sentence? How much more worse could this crime of been???

This case clearly shows the irresponsibility of our police and the total failure of our justice system.

Of course, the police will be quick to claim this is a one off. But of course they are going to say that, even if it's true or not!! It's pointless them commenting.

My condolences to the family of the victim. Such a waste.

- Bob Stevens, Essex London

My sincere condolences to Sandy Simpson's family and friends. In my opinion, the police officer got less than he deserved. As he was apparently 'showing off' and the conclusions reached by the Police Complaints Commission pointed to his 'recklessness and blatant disregard to public safety' he should have got the maximum sentence. I miss the UK police living here in Los Angeles. The UK police officer's actions regarding his 'maverick' attitude is, I feel, the exception rather than the rule. In a similar situation here in Southern California, I feel, the police officer would have got away with it - an investigation would have probably not have even taken place. Generally the police here act as though they are in the Wild West. They have a 'swagger' and overall demeanor that is more at home in the movies. In my rare experiences, I found the prediliction of the would-be Dirty Harry wannabees is in direct contrast to the professionalism and overall maturity of the UK police. The UK population should be proud of such a mature and comprehensive law enforcement body. I am pleased to learn that the Simpson family have some justice.

- E. Clark, Los Angeles

What can one say. A family are bereft. PC Searles may not be an intentional criminal but he is a complete moron. Hendon Training HQ, had better increase psychological tests for future Police Officers. To be fair the majority of officers are not plonkers, nevertheless a life has been
needlessly lost. No amount of compensation will bring her back.

- Macdangler, Wimbledon SW19

This man killed her by DANGEROUS DRIVING why didnt he get the 14 year sentence which could have been imposed ? If he had not been driving like a maniac just to deliver a birthday card of all things she would still be here. I think it is a complete disgrace and my heart goes out to her family, friends and loved ones. It just makes me sick when he was investigated and they said he was 'Irresponsible in the extreme' and the stupid judge just gives him six and a half year sentence and he will be out in less that half of that it makes my blood boil !

- Linda Cliff, London

More and more I believe that potential police officers in London should be subject to strict psychological and behavioural checks, especially if it ever comes to pass that they all carry sidearms.

- David Short, Tunis, Tunisia

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