A former police constable has been permanently banned from the profession after he deliberately used his patrol car to run over a cyclist who had thrown a sandwich onto a grass verge, causing minor injuries. The incident, which occurred in March 2024, has resulted in the ex-officer being placed on the police barred list, preventing any future employment in policing.
Deliberate Collision Following Littering Incident
Former Norfolk Police constable Frederick Boyle was on routine patrol on 15 March 2024 when he witnessed a cyclist, referred to as "Mr M," discard a sandwich onto a grass verge. In response, Boyle activated the vehicle's blue lights, ran a red traffic light, and drove into the cyclist as he attempted to cycle away. A police misconduct panel determined that Boyle's decision to turn sharply to the right was deliberate, motivated by a desire to prevent Mr M from evading detention.
Failure to Report and Ensure Welfare
Following the collision, Boyle performed a Police National Computer check but left the scene without checking whether the cyclist was safe or injured. The cyclist was left at the scene with a bicycle that was too damaged to ride. Boyle later admitted he did not report the crash, fearing it would make "mountains out of molehills." The panel noted that although the incident did not cause significant injury, the risk in Boyle's driving was very high and could have resulted in serious harm.
Colleagues Also Disciplined for Inaction
Two other officers in the vehicle, Kerron Tuttle and Abigail Thomas, were given 18-month written warnings for failing to report the incident and ensure the cyclist's welfare. Tuttle, who was sitting in the front seat, described the incident as "a bad bit of driving" and "a bad split-second decision" by Boyle. Both officers also left the scene without verifying the cyclist's condition, compounding the misconduct.
Panel Findings and Consequences
The misconduct panel assessed the harm caused by Boyle as "high" and deemed the incident gross misconduct, serious enough to justify dismissal. Boyle, who resigned following the incident, has been placed on the police barred list. The panel highlighted that Boyle had previously been involved in a collision while on duty and had received eight penalty points on his internal police license, underscoring a pattern of concerning behavior.
Public Witness and Reporting
A member of the public who witnessed the collision was so alarmed by what she saw that she reported the matter to the police independently. This external report helped bring the incident to light, as the involved officers had failed to document it. The case underscores the importance of accountability and proper procedure within law enforcement, particularly in situations where public safety is at risk.
