Misconduct hearing held for former police officer who failed to stop at collision

A former Wiltshire Police officer who failed to stop at the scene of a collision whilst on duty would have been dismissed had he not resigned from the Force.

A misconduct hearing held at Police Headquarters this week (13/5), found that former PC Peter Lawson’s actions amounted to gross misconduct.

On the morning of 7 December 2022, Lawson was driving a marked police van on blue lights along the A4 Avenue La Fleche in Chippenham when he was involved in a collision with another vehicle. He failed to stop at the scene and provide necessary details.

He was subsequently identified as the officer involved and the case was referred to Wiltshire Police’s Professional Standards Department – he was then suspended from the Force and later resigned.

He appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court on November 13 where he denied the offence of failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision but was found guilty and fined £600, had his licence endorsed with five points and was ordered to pay £775 to the Crown Prosecution Service and a victim surcharge of £480. He was fined a further £600 for driving without due care and attention.

A one day hearing in Devizes chaired by an Independent Legally Qualified Chair considered four allegations against Lawson – including an allegation that he engaged in a road rage incident whilst off duty, made an inappropriate and disrespectful comment about a fellow Wiltshire Police officer, and used a vehicle on a police operation which he had been told not to use. These allegations, as well as the traffic incident, were all upheld and Lawson’s behaviour was found to amount to gross misconduct. Had he not resigned, he would have been dismissed without notice.

Deputy Chief Constable Craig Dibdin said: “Lawson’s actions not only amounted to gross misconduct but they were illegal. We expect officers to reflect the highest standards of conduct while carrying out their duties and on this occasion Lawson’s actions fell far short of the public’s expectations.

“There is no place in our organisation for anyone who conducts themselves in this way and we encourage all members of the Force to use an anonymous reporting tool if they have concerns regarding a colleagues behaviour. We also encourage members of our communities who have concerns regarding a member of Wiltshire Police to report these also.”

The Force now has a Safe2Say Anonymous Reporting System. This is a bespoke internal reporting system which is geared to giving officers, staff and volunteers the confidence to report any wrongdoing, concerns they have or intelligence surrounding our workforce.