Outcomes - Selected Case Summaries
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Police pursuit under review
Investigation | 12 September 2018
Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS)
In 2016, the RCIPS received a report of an armed robbery in progress and several police cars were assigned to the incident. Police officers observed a motorcyclist wearing a mask near the location. The motorcyclist ignored the police direction to stop and the police pursued using cars and the police helicopter. The motorcyclist drove at high speed, overtaking vehicles and often travelling on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic. The dangerous driving continued for miles eventually ending when a collision occurred between one of the pursuing police vehicles and the rear wheel of the motorcycle. The rider was knocked from the bike and incurred serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The operator of the motorcycle was charged with several offences including dangerous driving and failing to comply with a police signal. There were no charges laid in relation to the armed robbery.
The RCIPS Professional Standards Unit conducted an internal investigation/review, as this was prior to the establishment of our office.
The Ombudsman decided to review this incident on her own initiative considering the significance of the injuries sustained by the rider and the public interest in high speed pursuits.
The Ombudsman did not identify any breaches of law. She did, however, identify deficiencies in RCIPS policies, procedures, training and equipment relating to police pursuits and made recommendations regarding corrective action. The Ombudsman’s recommendations were accepted by the Police Commissioner and she looks forward to confirmation that the deficiencies have been addressed.