Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 5 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 June 2008. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 June 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Police: Driving Offences

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers (a) were prosecuted in connection with alleged driving offences that have involved the death of civilians, (b) were convicted of such offences and (c) faced disciplinary actions in connection with such incidents in each year since 1997.

Answer: The information is not collected centrally. The best available information is in the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report 'Police Road Traffic Incidents: A Study of Cases Involving Serious and Fatal Injuries', which covers the period from April 2004 to September 2006. This shows that in that period five officers were prosecuted in connection with alleged offences involving a death and one in connection with an offence that involved the death of an unborn child. Four were convicted. The report sets out the action recommended in respect of other officers involved in collisions involving a fatality or serious injury, including the issuing of advice, formal disciplinary proceedings or other measures. The report is available on the IPCC website at:"http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/index/resources/research/reports_rti.htm."

Secondary information