Two cops who adopted two teenage boys killed in a crash in Cardiff have been served with gross misconduct notices, the Independent Office for Police Conduct stated.
The officers have been in a marked van and had adopted Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, on an electrical bike earlier than it crashed on Snowden Road.
South Wales Police had referred itself to its watchdog after the boys have been captured on CCTV being adopted by a police van.
In an announcement, the Independent Office for Police Conduct stated: “As part of our investigation, we have served gross misconduct notices on two police officers, the driver and passenger in a marked police van, which was seen on CCTV footage driving behind the boys’ electric bike a short time prior to the fatal collision on May 22.
“Such notices advise officers their conduct is topic to investigation. They don’t essentially imply that any disciplinary proceedings will observe.”
The watchdog stated investigators have been reviewing “hundreds of video footage clips” which have been gathered because of house-to-house enquiries and leafleting at properties within the Ely space of the town.
“To ensure we identify and secure relevant evidence, we have followed up inquiries with, and taken statements from, some local residents,” the IOPC stated.
“We have also set up witness appeal boards on relevant streets. In addition to these lines of inquiry, we have reviewed initial accounts and body-worn video from relevant police officers and staff.
“Our investigation continues to concentrate on the character of the police interplay with the 2 boys previous to the collision and the appropriateness of the officers’ choices and actions.
“In particular, we are examining whether at any time the decisions and actions of the officers in the police vehicle constituted a pursuit. South Wales Police has continued to co-operate with our investigation.”
The watchdog added it was in common contact with the boys’ households to maintain them up to date on the progress of the investigation.
Source: information.sky.com”