BRITISH police chiefs have today expressed disappointment with one of their own officers after she sued a petrol station owner when she tripped on a kerb on his property during an emergency callout.
In what police fear could set a nationwide legal precedence, Constable Kelly Jones was first officer on the scene to respond to the emergency call but as she walked to the rear of the property she tripped on a high gutter of a car wash.
The break-in at the petrol station at Norfolk in east England was a false alarm but the 33-year-old constable later hired lawyers and has now begun legal action claiming she hurt her wrist and leg with the petrol station owner Steve Jones not taking steps to ensure she was “reasonably safe”.
She wants $A73,000 compensation from him for not having warning signs for the car wash gutter. The police union is funding her injury case which has caused public outrage and fears people could be put off calling police for help in future.
Norfolk Constabulary’s police chief Phil Gormley today said he was disappointed by the action and claimed the attitude was not representative of his force.
“This type of claim does not represent the approach and attitude of the overwhelming majority of our staff who understand and accept the risks inherent in policing and which they willingly confront to keep the public they serve safe,” he said.
“It is a disappointment that this is potentially undermined by a private compensation claim.”
Mr Jones said he was shocked by the action which he said would ruin him.
“You call the police and expect them to be on your side. I'm sure they are normally but not in this case,” he said.
He added the kerb was as visible as any other she would have steps over to get to his station and he actually helped her up when he saw her stumble and she didn’t look injured. She said she had to attend hospital for her injuries.
“How can anyone feel safe calling the cops if they size you up for compensation while they’re fighting crime,” he said.
British police officers are pocketing more than $30 million a year from launching private injury claims, encouraged by their union with an injury hotline.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét