PFD report

Lewis Dean JOHNSON · Prevention of Future Deaths report

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Issued 23 May 2025•Inner North London

Report record

Published report and response evidence

This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.

View original report
Concerns
4

Raised in this report

Recipients
1

Named on the report

Responses found
1

Of 1 recipient

Stated actions
12

Described in responses

Recipients and published responses

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

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Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Concerns raised4

  1. Failure to disseminate relevant policies effectively
  2. Failure to implement relevant policies effectively
  3. Failure to train relevant staff on relevant policies effectively
Responses linked to these concerns

Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

Actions described in response An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.5

  1. Action

    Disseminate critical driving-policy updates through intranet notices, the Safer Driver Manager network, and driver acknowledgement emails.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 May 2025.
  2. Action

    Disseminate internally guided policy changes and notified APP updates within 24 hours, while risk-assessing timelines for further implementation work.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 May 2025.
  3. Action

    Scope and develop a Digital Driving Permit that can restrict vehicle booking and require acknowledgement of policy updates.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 May 2025.

Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.1

  1. Position

    A fixed timeframe for obtaining pursuit information cannot be aligned because each pursuit presents different circumstances and requires case-by-case assessment.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Failure to disseminate relevant policies effectively

Wider context from the report

“1. You will see from the attached narrative that the jury concluded there was a failure by MPS to implement, disseminate and train relevant staff on relevant policies effectively. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Failure to implement relevant policies effectively

Wider context from the report

“1. You will see from the attached narrative that the jury concluded there was a failure by MPS to implement, disseminate and train relevant staff on relevant policies effectively. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Failure to train relevant staff on relevant policies effectively

Wider context from the report

“1. You will see from the attached narrative that the jury concluded there was a failure by MPS to implement, disseminate and train relevant staff on relevant policies effectively. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of a consistent expectation among police officers about police controller decision-making times for pursuit authorisation

Wider context from the report

“2. Although the jury did not comment on this specifically, it seemed to me from the evidence in court that there was not a consistent expectation among police officers of how long it generally takes a police controller to make a decision on authorisation of a pursuit. Whilst I do not suggest there should be a time limit on this, it would seem helpful if the expectation of the timing of police control decision making were to be roughly aligned between those making the decisions (in the police control room) and those waiting for the decisions (in police cars involved in the pursuits). ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable police pursuit management and authorisation.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Disseminate critical driving-policy updates through intranet notices, the Safer Driver Manager network, and driver acknowledgement emails.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Since this incident in 2016, the RTPC PDSU has reviewed the way critical policy updates are disseminated with the aim of reducing the risk of policy updates being missed. As such, the RTPC PDSU continues to publish Operational Notices on the MPS intranet, which is then reinforced with the update being disseminated throughout the Safer Driver Manager (SDM) network. The SDM’s will then share these updates with the drivers in their command by email requesting an acknowledgement response.”

Source location

2025-0241 Response from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Page 2 · response
Published 29 May 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Disseminate internally guided policy changes and notified APP updates within 24 hours, while risk-assessing timelines for further implementation work.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Whilst at times, the decision to change policy is held within the MPS, which allows for prior planning for the education of policy updates, this is not always the case. The MPS, as with other police forces, are guided by APP. At times, these updates can be dynamic due to learning within other forces and as such there can be a delay in communication to MPS officers and staff in order to determine the best manner to educate or train them. Where the MPS has guided an internal policy change, or the College of Policing has provided a timeline of APP updates, the PDSU will disseminate this information within 24 hours of being notified. Where further work is required to update officers and staff of the changes, the PDSU will assess the risk and ensure that timelines for implementation are proportionate to that risk.”

Source location

2025-0241 Response from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Page 3 · response
Published 29 May 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Scope and develop a Digital Driving Permit that can restrict vehicle booking and require acknowledgement of policy updates.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In addition to the current process, as part of the Police Driver Standards Improvement Plan, the RTPC PDSU has numerous ongoing digital driving and system projects in production, specifically the MPS is scoping the introduction of a Digital Driving Permit (the initial phase due for completion by the end of July 2025, Digital Logbooks, a Chronical Systems Project,”

Source location

2025-0241 Response from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Page 3 · response
Published 29 May 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Deliver a revised three-week Pan London training course with pursuit-policy instruction, immersive practice, and written and practical competency assessments.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Since MetCC have taken ownership of the Pan London training, the course has been changed from four weeks to three weeks. The first two weeks teaches staff how to work in all areas of Pan London, with the third week being dedicated to pursuit management within the control room - the Pan London Training Team (PLTT). The staff are given an electronic copy of the MPS Pursuit Policy with their joining instructions prior to the course.”

Source location

2025-0241 Response from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Page 5 · response
Published 29 May 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Provide updated MetCC training enabling faster recognition and termination of pursuits, including direct channel control by Supervisors of Incident.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The MPS has provided updated training packages to staff within the Metropolitan Police’s Command and Control Command (MetCC), whose responsibility includes the management of the Pan London MPS Pursuit radio channel. Changes to training have been made to enable faster recognition and termination of pursuits, where appropriate. Specifically, within the Supervisor of Incident (SI) role (within the control room), the direction is that the SI will take control of the channel directly to terminate pursuits if deemed necessary, whereas previously the direction to terminate was given to the channel operator with supporting rationale. The channel operator would then direct the pursuit to terminate.”

Source location

2025-0241 Response from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Page 2 · response
Published 29 May 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

A fixed timeframe for obtaining pursuit information cannot be aligned because each pursuit presents different circumstances and requires case-by-case assessment.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We cannot align a time limit as to how quickly this information is obtained, as each pursuit is different in what the pursuing vehicle is presented with. However, with both MetCC staff and pursuing officers knowing what questions are going to be asked and in what order, it allows the answers to be promptly given and allows the SI to make decisions in a timelier manner. Although each pursuit would need to be reviewed on its own merits, on a case-by-case basis, the aim is to authorise a pursuit as soon as practicable once relevant information has been obtained.”

Source location

2025-0241 Response from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Page 6 · response
Published 29 May 2025

Open published response

Other statements in published responses

These actions and other statements could not be clearly connected to one concern in this report.

Recipient-stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.7

  1. 1

    Review the existing MPS driving policy against national Authorised Professional Practice standards.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 May 2025.
  2. 2

    Direct Pursuit Tactical Advisors to take control of the pursuit channel when appropriate and maintain real-time policy communication through their supervisor role.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 May 2025.
  3. 3

    Provide a Pursuit Commentary course for officers, developed with the Pursuit Tactical Advisor Sergeant and MPS Driving School.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 May 2025.
  4. 4

    Work with the Strategic Insights Unit to analyse high-risk driving behaviours and assess serious-injury and fatal-collision data for risk reduction.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 May 2025.
  5. 5

    Deliver the Police Driver Improvement Plan through driver training, enhanced data, governance, milestone management, and partner accountability.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 May 2025.
  6. 6

    Explore in-car dash-camera solutions enabling pursuit managers to view pursuits across the MPS fleet.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 May 2025.
  7. 7

    Enhance the Chronicle collision-reporting system to distinguish collision and hazard types and capture accurate location data.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 29 May 2025.

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Review the existing MPS driving policy against national Authorised Professional Practice standards.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The project began in April 2025 with a wholesale review the existing MPS driving Policy, taking every opportunity to align to national APP standards.”

Source location

2025-0241 Response from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Page 3 · response
Published 29 May 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Direct Pursuit Tactical Advisors to take control of the pursuit channel when appropriate and maintain real-time policy communication through their supervisor role.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Likewise, Pursuit Tactical Advisors (TacAd) situated inside the pan London control room are being directed to take control of the channel where appropriate to ensure essential information is provided at the earliest opportunity. Furthermore, the TacAd supervisor role is part of the PDSU and is located within MetCC alongside the MPS Pursuit desk, ensuring a continual, real-time line of communication and updates surrounding the policy.”

Source location

2025-0241 Response from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Page 3 · response
Published 29 May 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Provide a Pursuit Commentary course for officers, developed with the Pursuit Tactical Advisor Sergeant and MPS Driving School.

Verbatim wording from the response

“It was identified that officers who were not a minimum classification of a Response driver, received very limited training on pursuit commentary. In response, the PLTT therefore introduced a Pursuit Commentary course to the MPS, available for all officers to attend. This was done in conjunction with the Pursuit Tactical Advisor Sergeant and the MPS Driving School.”

Source location

2025-0241 Response from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Page 5 · response
Published 29 May 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Work with the Strategic Insights Unit to analyse high-risk driving behaviours and assess serious-injury and fatal-collision data for risk reduction.

Verbatim wording from the response

“RTPC PDSU are working closely with the MPS Strategic Insight Unit (SIU) to provide an overview and gain a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with potential high risk driving behaviours, and how these can be reduced/mitigated as part of the Police Driver Improvement Plan. In addition, work is ongoing as to whether the SIU could utilise data that is already held, specifically around whether any increase in serious injury or police fatal collisions are significant in terms of demand.”

Source location

2025-0241 Response from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Page 4 · response
Published 29 May 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Deliver the Police Driver Improvement Plan through driver training, enhanced data, governance, milestone management, and partner accountability.

Verbatim wording from the response

“To address identified risks associated with serious and / or fatal police driving incidents / collisions, a Police Driver Improvement Plan was created in 2024. The plan sets out how the MPS intends to reduce police collisions, utilising driver training, enhanced data and governance frameworks to manage risk, progress milestones and hold key partners to account.”

Source location

2025-0241 Response from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Page 3 · response
Published 29 May 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Explore in-car dash-camera solutions enabling pursuit managers to view pursuits across the MPS fleet.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The PDSU are in the early stages of exploring in-car dash cam solutions for the MPS fleet. This solution will allow Pursuit Managers (SI’s) situated in MetCC to view pursuits.”

Source location

2025-0241 Response from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Page 4 · response
Published 29 May 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Enhance the Chronicle collision-reporting system to distinguish collision and hazard types and capture accurate location data.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The Chronicle is the MPS Collision reporting system for police drivers. This will be able to distinguish between police driver collision types, and specifics surrounding what type of hazard has been engaged, thus allowing junctions and hazards to be reported on. There is also now a pin drop function that will provide accurate location data which has been facilitated by DDaT. This is estimated to be completed in the second quarter of 2025.”

Source location

2025-0241 Response from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Page 4 · response
Published 29 May 2025

Open published response
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Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026