A police officer who rammed a cow with his car will return to frontline duties after a probe found what he did was both ‘lawful’ and ‘necessary’.
There was a public outcry after footage was posted online of the officer driving into the 10-month-old cow twice in an attempt to stop her in Staines-Upon-Thames in Surrey.
The animal, called Beau Lucy, had escaped from her farm at around 9pm on June 14 and was reported to be on the loose until around 12.30am, when the collision happened.
She survived but was left with a gouge to her leg, which needed treating and according to her owner Rob would probably have a ‘limp for a month’.
‘We touched her head yesterday and it was obvious there was pain,’ he added.
Then home secretary James Cleverly said at the time the police officer’s tactic to stop Beau Lucy ‘appears to be unnecessarily heavy handed’.
Surrey Police took the officer off duty and launched an investigation that lasted five months and involved 250 pieces of video footage and 75 witness statements.
It found there was no cause for further action in either a criminal investigation or internal misconduct proceedings.
Deputy chief constable Nev Kemp said: ‘We appreciate the strength of feeling which remains in relation to this incident, which is why we committed to conducting a diligent and thorough investigation to determine whether any criminal offences had taken place in relation to the actions taken by Surrey Police on the night.
‘This involved gathering substantial amounts of video evidence, as well as speaking to witnesses, and animal welfare specialists to help inform the senior investigating officer’s (SIO) decision making.
He continued: ‘After investigating for five months, the SIO found that while there is necessary organisational learning in relation to how we handle loose livestock, no criminal offences were made out and therefore no further action should be taken against those who were involved.
‘This determination was supported by the head of professional standards for Surrey Police who subsequently reviewed whether there was any potential misconduct.
‘They determined a need for individual learning, but that no further action is taken in relation to misconduct. The driver of the vehicle will return to frontline duties in due course.’
Beau Lucy is now well and with her herd at the farm, said police.
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