Essex Police apologises for officers joking about musician's son's death

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 09:28 · Archive

Essex Police has apologised after body-worn footage showed officers joking about the death of Paul Hardcastle's son, Paul Jr, 35. Paul Jr died on 12 January when his motorcycle collided with a van near Ongar, Essex, during a police pursuit.

The pursuit officer attempted to save his life, for which musician Paul Hardcastle said he took comfort. However, Hardcastle told The Times he was 'just completely stunned' when shown body-worn footage discovered by police watchdog the IOPC in June, which captured three female constables joking about his son's death. These three officers were not involved in the pursuit but were sent to the scene after the crash.

One officer laughed as she asked colleagues if it was the wrong time to mention that Paul Jr had previously complained about her failure to investigate a road rage incident in which his vehicle suffered £750 of damage. A transcript shows another officer replied she could 'consider that closed', adding 'every cloud'. Hardcastle described the footage as characterised by 'constant laughing and sniggering'.

The IOPC, which uncovered the footage during an automatically triggered investigation into the death, found that officers had behaved properly during the pursuit itself. Essex Police has since apologised for the officers' conduct captured on the body-worn video.

How it is being reported

• Essex Police forced to apologise after officers joked about death of musician’s sonEssex Police apologises after body-worn footage captured officers joking about musician Paul Hardcastle’s son Paul Jr, who died in a motorcycle crash.Brentwood Guardian · 23 Oct, 09:05
• Essex Police forced to apologise after officers joked about death of musician’s sonEssex Police apologises after body-worn footage captured officers joking about musician Paul Hardcastle’s son Paul Jr, who died in a motorcycle crash.Echo (Basildon) · 23 Oct, 09:05
• Essex Police forced to apologise after officers joked about death of musician’s sonEssex Police apologises after body-worn footage captured officers joking about musician Paul Hardcastle’s son Paul Jr, who died in a motorcycle crash.Colchester Gazette · 23 Oct, 09:05

In this story: Paul Hardcastle · Paul Jr · Essex Police · IOPC · Ongar

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