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A five-month investigation by the IOPC has led to a Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer receiving a written warning after admitting he failed to adhere to policies and procedures prior to a road traffic collision in which a man sustained serious injuries.

PC Marcus Esterson, based at Colindale Police Station, received the sanction at a hearing on Monday, 27 January. Prior to the disciplinary hearing the officer accepted that his behaviour fell short of the acceptable standards amounting to gross misconduct when he pursued a silver Vauxhall Astra car in north London in August 2018.

The MPS made a mandatory referral owing to the serious injuries sustained by a 50-year-old man who was knocked over by the marked police car driven by PC Esterson at the junction of Finchley Road and Hoop Lane.

The collision occurred around 3am after PC Esterson tried to stop the Astra the man was driving. After a short pursuit, lasting approximately 43 seconds, the Astra collided with a wall and the man got out of the car. As PC Esterson drove along the Finchley Road he attempted a right turn into Hoop Lane where the police car collided with the man resulting in him suffering a dislocated and fractured shoulder.

Our investigation, which concluded in January 2019, obtained a written account from PC Esterson and the officer who was a passenger in the police car, we also analysed and assessed the MPS’ policies and procedures. PC Esterson was interviewed during the course of our investigation. A file was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service who decided not to bring any criminal charges. The man initiated a victim right of review (VRR) and the decision was also not to bring any criminal charges. The MPS agreed with our findings and scheduled for the disciplinary hearing to take place.

IOPC Regional Director Sal Naseem yesterday said:

“Following our thorough and expeditious investigation, and confronted with the evidence we had gathered, PC Esterson accepted responsibility for his actions prior to the hearing, admitting his decision-making on that evening, when pursuing the Astra, was lacking amounting to gross misconduct.

“The independent disciplinary panel assessed that evidence and decided that PC Esterson, who is a not a poor officer, should receive a written warning. 

“As an organisation, the IOPC is aiming to increase public confidence in policing and improve police standards, which is why it is refreshing to note the officer acknowledged his actions were below par prior to the disciplinary hearing.

“This is a prime example of a culture of learning the IOPC wants to see, accepting and acknowledging when mistakes have been made and taking steps to address them.”

PC Esterson admitted gross misconduct, as part of his official Regulation 22 response, and that his behaviour fell short of the standards expected in relation to duties and responsibilities, concerning his failure to consider the national decision model adequately and adhere to the MPS’ driving and pursuit policies when assessing the risk whilst in pursuit of a vehicle.