Essex Police Officer Sacked for Speeding at 91mph on 50mph Road
An Essex police officer was dismissed after speeding 42 times, posing a serious risk to public safety
Essex, UK, Police, Speeding, Misconduct
Essex: A police officer just got the boot for speeding like a maniac. PC Harry Croot was caught driving over the limit 42 times, including hitting 91mph in a 50mph zone. Yikes!
This guy was already on thin ice with a five-year warning for something else. So, when the Chief Constable held a quick hearing, it didn’t take long to decide he had to go. Croot didn’t even have the right driving permit to be speeding like that.
Between May and July 2024, his telematics showed he was zooming past the speed limit repeatedly. The Chief Constable, Ben-Julian Harrington, said Croot’s reckless driving was a serious danger to everyone on the road.
Turns out, he was driving marked police cars way too fast without the proper training. He wasn’t allowed to use the usual police exemptions for speeding during emergencies. The report made it clear: he knew the rules but chose to ignore them.
On one occasion, he was going 86mph in a 40mph zone! That’s just asking for trouble. The Chief Constable pointed out that a trained officer would know better, but Croot clearly didn’t have the judgment or skills needed.
After the misconduct hearing, it was clear he crossed the line. His actions were deemed gross misconduct, and he was shown the door. The Chief Constable emphasized that trained officers are supposed to keep the public safe, and Croot’s behavior was the opposite of that.
He reassured everyone that Essex Police takes road safety seriously, both for the public and within the force. It’s a reminder that proper training is crucial for anyone behind the wheel, especially in emergency situations.