Police officer sacked for failing to stay at crash scene

A police officer who fled from the scene of a crash has been dismissed from the service.

PC Joel Hopkins was involved in a collision with another vehicle in Golborne, Wigan, in July 2022.

PC Hopkins was instructed by officers to walk up the street and onto the other side of the pedestrian safety barrier while the scene was assessed for injuries and damage.

However, he ignored request and made off on foot, later reporting the RTC and attending Leigh Police Station.

PC Hopkins appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court in May 2023 where he pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident and was disqualified from driving for six months and fined £2,500. The ban was downgraded to seven penalty points on appeal.

At an accelerated misconduct hearing at Greater Manchester Police HQ on 15/3/24, PC Hopkins, who worked in GMP’s Specialist Operations, was dismissed without notice after admitting his actions amounted to gross misconduct.

Chief Constable Stephen Watson, who presided over the hearing, also ordered PC Hopkins’ name be added to the College of Policing Barred List.

CC Watson said: “PC Hopkins’ offending behaviour was clearly unlawful and injurious to the public’s perception of what should be represented in the behaviour of a professional and well conducted officer.

“This episode marks a terrible lapse in judgement which runs contrary to the evidence of PC Hopkins otherwise long and creditable service.

“It remains clear however, that notwithstanding the officer’s previously unblemished record, that this factor does not outweigh the potential for the loss of confidence that would ensue if PC Hopkins were to be permitted to continue to perform in the office of constable.”