DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
FreeTrafficLegalAdvice
HTML https://ftla.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Speeding and other criminal offences
*****************************************************
#Post#: 98531--------------------------------------------------
Involved in RTC with off duty PC whom cautioned me & then le
ft scene of RTC. Now being investigated by his own force.
By: NickYamaha Date: November 17, 2025, 12:10 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Good Afternoon all,
I was driving on a one way ring road that circles a town. There
are 2 lanes and both are clearly signposted and have road
markings showing that the left hand lane is used to turn off the
ring road and the right hand lane is to continue going around
the ring road. I had been queing in the right hand lane. Many
people were driving up the left hand lane and then forcing their
way into the right hand lane at the last moment. As I came to
the end of the road where people were pushing in I let a car in
and then continued forward myself. As I drove into the corner
another car came up fast driving over the chevrons and forcing
their way in front of me causing me to take evasive action to
avoid a collision. This was now forcing me into the wrong lane
after the corner as I needed the next exit off the ring road. I
did not fully concede and move over into the other lane
entirely, but was in the middle of the 2 lanes.
I could see the other driver clearly in my mirror as I was
slightly ahead of them. As I was attempting to get in front of
him and get back into my correct lane I saw the other driver
turn his wheel toward me and speed up causing a collision. No
major damage, just his wing mirror crushing against the side of
my vehicle. After seeing how the last few seconds had played out
and that the other driver intentionally turned into me to cause
this collision, I decided to completely move away as I did not
want this road rager to cause any more damage to my vehicle. I
drove ahead in the other available lane and pulled over one
vehicle ahead in order to exchange details.
Rather than pulling up behind or in front of me the other driver
pulled up alongside me now blocking both lanes of traffic on the
new road we had turned onto. I looked over and the drivers
passenger held a police warrant card up to the window and
smirked at me. They then told me to lower my window which I did.
The driver then leaned over his passenger and cautioned me for
undue care and attention whilst driving. He then told me that I
would receive a fine letter in the post to my home address and
drove off. This confused the hell out of me as I thought when he
was reading me my rights that I was being arrested. I also
thought I would at least be asked to pull over somewhere else
more convenient or follow them. However, as mentioned they
simply drove off leaving the scene of a RTC.
The individuals involved were not in police uniform nor were
they in a police car or in an undercover police car. This was
the drivers personal car and also has a private number plate. At
no point did they leave their vehicle. The caution was shouted
at me by the driver by leaning over his passenger and shouting
through the passenger window. After they drove off I managed to
exchange details with the driver behind me who had dashcam
footage of the whole incident. He was particularly moved to
share this with me after hearing me getting cautioned as he
believed the off duty police officer was in the wrong.
I promptly reported the incident to my insurer. For the most
part there is no damage on my vehicle. There was a small scuff
which completely dissapeared when rubbed with a cleaning wipe. I
also reported the incident to the police as I did not know if
these people were impersonating police officers and they also
left the scene of a RTC. The police call handler told me it did
not sound like they were actual police officers as if they were
their actions were highly unprofessional.
A couple of days later I was contacted by a PC whom informed me
that he was investigating the RTC. He informed me that the other
driver had also reported the RTC to the police but he refused to
inform me as to whether they were an off duty police officer or
not. He told me that if they were they would be automatically
investigated by a seperate department in addition to his
investigation. When I asked him if it is a criminal offence to
leave the scene of a RTC he said no. He said you can leave the
scene of a RTC collision as long as you report it to the police
within 24 hours. As the other driver had done so he felt this
was suffice. However, my own understanding and subsequent
research suggests that this is in fact a criminal offence. I
asked if police officers are allowed to caution someone whilst
off duty and he informed me that yes in certain instances they
can. However upon further investigation this appears to be one
of the few instances where they cannot.
He also informed me that both myself and the other driver were
being investigated, however, he was splitting it into two
seperate cases. The other driver is being investigated for
driving over chevrons and forcing their way in front of me. I am
being investigated for pulling in front of the other driver
seconds later. When I pointed out the fact that these instances
were seconds apart and if the other driver did not force their
way in front of me none of this would have happened the
investigating officer was not interested. My entire interaction
with this investigating officer made me believe that the other
driver was in fact an off duty police officer and is trying to
protect him.
I believe the investigating officer is downplaying the severity
of leaving the scene of a RTC and also misleading me about when
an off duty police officer is allowed to caution a member of the
public. I also believe the fact he is deciding to split the case
into 2 further serves to protect the other driver. I also have
suspicions that I am being misled when he said if the other
driver is a police officer he would be investigated by an
independant team.
I have since learned through my insurer that the other driver is
in fact a police officer. Once my insurer gave me his name I was
able to find him online and I was also able to identify him via
photos and confirm the fact he is a serving police officer. Also
his private number plate which I recorded at the time of the
collision contains the initials of his name. I have also
discovered that he is part of the "Road crime team" and his role
is "Roads policing Intelligence & problem solving" (Ironic?). He
is also working in the same constabulary as the officer who
contacted me and is investigating the RTC.
The only positive I have at the moment is that the investigating
officer told me that because it was a minor collision and nobody
was injured and because I am co-operating with the investigation
by providing dashcam footage the charge would be minor. He has
told me that he will most likely be suggesting a driver
awareness course and did not feel points and a fine were
necessary from the footage he has reviewed. Also worth
mentioining that I have received an NIP in the post which I will
be completing and returning shortly. However the location on the
NIP is not correct. The road name and borough is correct however
the town is not. The town on the NIP is actually 10 miles away
from where the incident actually took place. I had thought
perhaps this may invalidate the NIP especially if I were to
delay responding until 14 days has passed however, when I read
the stickied thread before posting on this forum it seems this
would not be enough to invalidate the NIP.
Apologies for the wall of text, I am neuro divergent and I
struggle with being concise when communicating. I have tried to
include as much detail as possible without giving away too many
identifying details that could potentially lead back to me (Not
sure if I'm being silly here but I am trying to be cautious).
I have hundreds of questions that have been racing through my
mind since this all unfolded however I will try to stick to the
more important ones.
- What should I do?
- Should I be seeking legal advice?
- Should I raise a complaint against the officer?
- Are off duty police officers allowed to caution a member of
the public in regards to a RTC? Taking into consideration they
were in their own personal car, not in uniform, the driver did
not formally identify himself as a police officer (Only the
passenger showed their warrant card), they did not leave their
vehicle and then left the scene of the RTC.
- Is it a criminal offence to leave the scene of a RTC?
- Is it a conflict of interest for the investigating officer to
be from the same constabulary?
- Is it true that the off duty police officer will be
investigated by an independant department?
- Is it normal procedure to split a case into 2 seperate
instances? Especially when they took place and were ongoing over
a period of no more than 8 seconds.
I would greatly appreciate any guidance and feedback on this
matter. If anyone has any questions or requires more
clarification please do not hesitate to ask and I will try to
respond promptly.
Kind regards,
Nick
#Post#: 98881--------------------------------------------------
Re: Involved in RTC with off duty PC whom cautioned me & the
n left scene of RTC. Now being investigated by his own force
By: Sander333 Date: November 19, 2025, 2:03 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
There is a lot of content in this post and there appears to an
ongoing investigation which on the face of it needs to run its
course with the allocated officer gathering evidence and dealing
with the matter in accordance with the law.
At present the OP gives their side of the story which will be
taken into account.
Specifically to answer your questions you have received an NIP
however you are aware you were involved in an RTC so despite
having possible errors there was no requirement but it was sent
under the possible belt and braces effect.
Can an off duty police officer caution a person if they consider
an offence absolutely you are a police officer 24hours a day. If
in plain clothes then they should provide you with name collar
number and station.
In relation to stopping at the scene of a Road Accident you must
stop and provide certain details to any person who requests
them. If not you must report the accident to a Police Officer or
at a Police Station as soon as practicable or in any case within
24 hours.
Should you seek legal advice that is a matter for you if you
feel the need. This normally comes with the caveat of paying for
the advice.
If you want to make a complaint then you can do so and any
disciplinary action can be taken if any transgressions have been
identified.
No conflict of interest for one officer to investigate another
from the same police force or as it is now called service.
If there is Police Officer involved in an RTC some forces refer
the case to what was called the Traffic Department or now RPU
some may not.
The case can be split as there are 2 possible defendants.
#Post#: 99068--------------------------------------------------
Re: Involved in RTC with off duty PC whom cautioned me & the
n left scene of RTC. Now being investigated by his own force
By: NickYamaha Date: November 20, 2025, 3:08 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Update:
I received a phone call today from a Police Officer who is
investigating the off duty PC's misconduct. As mentioned
previously, I don't want to go into too much detail until
everything has been resolved. However, I am feeling very
vindicated as the off duty PC has been suspended from driving
since the date of the incident. He has been fined and had points
issued against him (Wasn't eligible for awareness course as he's
had one in the last 3 years... Shock!). He is also being
investigated for gross misconduct where the intent is for his
dismissal.
*****************************************************