A police officer accused of knocking a teenage boy off his bike during a “dangerous” pursuit did not ask bosses for permission to chase the suspect, a court has heard.
Prosecutors claim PC Kayleigh Simpson drove on a cycle path in Glenrothes and clipped the back wheel of the bicycle, injuring the boy in March 2020. But one police expert said yesterday: “We don’t teach people to crash into cyclists.”
Sheriff Alison McKay was told how officers were searching for a man named Kevin Spratley, who was believed to have stolen a car that was later found abandoned nearby. PC Simpson is accused of following a youth who matched his description but began giving chase after he failed to stop when she activated her blue lights and sirens.
Police Scotland collision investigator Sean Owen told the court there was no evidence in the incident log the officer had asked the control room to authorise the chase, which is mandatory for all pursuits. He added the only time he would consider hitting a pedal bike with a police vehicle would be during a terrorism incident or to apprehend someone for a serious offence such as murder.
Asked if he considered PC Simpson’s driving to be dangerous, Owen said: “By the fact that they were off road and the marked police vehicle was behind the cyclist, yes.
“For me personally, I wouldn’t have been comfortable continuing that pursuit. We have a named suspect here that could be dealt with at a later date by other means such as a warrant.
“As a police officer, you have to exhaust all other options. Making contact is the last thing that you want to do.”
PC Simpson’s lawyer Pamela Rodgers asked the expert if he would deal with the incident differently if he was chasing a man who was considered to be “an immediate threat to life of another”.
He said: “Absolutely. If there was an allegation of there being weapons or the suggestion that he was taking that vehicle to go and harm somebody, I would expect officers to actively set about bringing him into custody.”
Rodgers added: “What about if there was a ‘kill kit’ found inside the abandoned vehicle? Do you know what that is?”
Owen said: “Usually it would mean a bag containing items such as tape, a balaclava, gloves or weapons.
“If I was to find that in the car, I would be concerned that the subject was carrying a weapon.”
Earlier, retired road policing training sergeant Sean Murray told the court that he believed PC Simpson’s driving during the alleged incident “didn’t meet the standard’’ officers are trained to.
He added: “Officers are not taught any tactics for stopping pursuits which involve making contact with pedal bikes.
“If any contact is made, that’s a mistake by the police driver. We don’t teach people to crash into cyclists.”
Murray said PC Simpson had completed her standard training, allowing her to use blue lights and sirens, in March 2011 before having a refresher course around five years later.
PC Simpson denies the charges. The trial will resume next month.
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