A former Sussex Police officer who seriously injured a pedestrian while responding to an emergency incident in Brighton has been cleared of any misconduct by a panel.
Following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), it was determined that former PC Louie Wellfare, 30, had a case to answer for Gross Misconduct. Mr Wellfare appeared before a three-day misconduct hearing at Horsham Police Station from Monday, 8 July. The hearing was conducted by a panel led by an Independent Legally Qualified Chair (LQC).
LQCs, who are selected from a list of independent, legally qualified persons, conduct police misconduct hearings governed by Police Conduct Regulations. They work with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and others to ensure transparency and proportionality in misconduct hearings.
The panel was informed that on 17 July 2019, former PC Wellfare was responding to an emergency call in a marked police car. While overtaking a taxi that was turning right, he swerved and hit a pedestrian on the pavement. The pedestrian suffered serious leg injuries and was taken to the hospital.
After considering all the evidence, the panel concluded that Mr Wellfare’s conduct did not breach police standards of professional behaviour, and the matter was dismissed.
The IOPC began its investigation following a mandatory referral from Sussex Police shortly after the 2019 incident. The investigation concluded that the officer should face a gross misconduct hearing for potential breaches of the standards of professional behaviour related to his manner of driving.
A file of evidence was also referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, which, in March 2021, decided to charge the officer with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. However, in March 2022, former PC Wellfare was acquitted of the charge following a trial at Brighton Crown Court.
Detective Superintendent Andy Wolstenholme, Deputy Head of the force’s Professional Standards, commented on the outcome of the misconduct hearing: “Sussex Police takes all matters of conduct seriously and always provide full support to any IOPC investigation.
“Officers are expected to drive to the highest standards at all times and receive specialist training to meet the additional skill required to respond with blue lights and sirens. In this case, the panel, led by an LQC, made their decision based on all the evidence and were clear that former PC Wellfare’s conduct did not breach the standards of professional behaviour. Regardless of fault or blame, we are sorry that a member of the public was injured in this incident.
“Emergency response driving always comes with risk, but this is weighed against our need to get to incidents quickly in order to protect the public and catch criminals.”
