Essex Police have apologised after three officers were caught on camera laughing about the death of Paul Hardcastle's son, Paul Jr, who was killed in a crash while being pursued by police.
Paul Jr, 35, died after crashing his motorbike into a van during the pursuit in January. The footage, uncovered by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), showed three female officers joking about the incident.
Officers' Jokes and Apology
A transcript revealed one officer, who was not involved in the initial chase, sniggered after it was suggested that Paul Jr had complained about police failing to investigate an incident that caused £750 of damage to his vehicle. She quipped that officers could 'consider that closed', adding 'every cloud'.
Chief Superintendent Scott Egerton said the officers' conduct was 'needless, insensitive and unacceptable' and apologised 'unreservedly' for the distress caused to Paul Jr's family. He said: 'When this matter was brought to our attention, we took action.'
Family's Reaction
An investigation had found that the officers behaved appropriately in the pursuit, and Hardcastle initially thanked one officer for trying to save his son. However, the chart-topping singer said he was 'just completely stunned' that officers had joked about his son's death. 'How do they treat members of the public who are alive if that's how they treat the dead?', he asked.
Hardcastle dismissed the officers' sanction – reflective practice – as a 'box-ticking exercise that will have no impact on their conduct'.
Inquest Findings
An inquest heard that Paul Jr, who had followed his father's footsteps as a DJ and saxophonist, died of chest and abdominal injuries at 6.40pm after the fatal crash on the A414 in Bobbingworth.
Egerton added: 'Our Professional Standards Department investigated the matter, and the behaviour was addressed directly with the officers involved. I want Mr Hardcastle's family to know that we recognise the hurt these comments have caused and that they should never have been put in this position.'
