Two Metropolitan police officers could face criminal charges over their pursuit of a car thief who mowed down a family, killing a child actor and his aunt, the Independent Police Complaints Commission has said.
Makayah McDermott, 10, and Rosie Cooper, 34, were walking in Penge, south-east London, when the vehicle hit them on 31 August 2016. Two 13-year-olds and an eight-year-old girl who were related to the pair were also injured.
The watchdog has referred evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to decide whether the officers should be charged with any offences.
Officials have not revealed details of evidence, saying any potential charges are a matter for the CPS. But the watchdog said there was an indication that the officers “may have committed criminal offences relating to their actions both during and following the pursuit”.
According to College of Policing guidelines, officers are expected to have proper authorisation and training before a pursuit and must decide whether it is “justified, proportionate and conforms to the principle of least intrusion”.
Officers must also assess the risk posed by the pursued driver, the seriousness of the offence that is believed to have been committed and the road conditions and surroundings, such as whether or not there are schools nearby.
Makayah and Cooper were killed when they were hit by a Ford Focus driven by Joshua Dobby, who was out of jail on licence at the time. In March he was sentenced to 12 years for two counts of manslaughter.
The IPCC said a referral to the CPS was made when its investigation indicated that a criminal offence may have been committed, and did not mean that criminal charges would follow.
Officials said the IPCC report had been sent to Scotland Yard for senior officers to decide whether or not disciplinary proceedings should follow.
