THE police officer under investigation on suspicion of causing the death by dangerous driving when a man was fatally injured in a collision with a patrol car has not been suspended or arrested.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), confirmed that despite a criminal investigation, the officer has not been arrested.
Sussex Police said they considered suspending the officer before assigning him restricted duties.
The officer is under investigation on suspicion of causing the death by dangerous driving after Arthur Holscher-Ermert was struck by a police car last Saturday night.
He was on foot after being chased by police and the 27-year-old was hit by another police vehicle.
Police watchdog the IOPC said it was investigating claims that Arthur Holscher-Ermert was being chased by police after his car was marked as uninsured.
Mr. Holscher-Ermert was crossing a street in Peacehaven when he was involved in a collision with an unmarked police vehicle, the IOPC confirmed.
Several unmarked police cars were in pursuit of Mr. Holscher-Ermert after his Audi was spotted by police while he was conducting a raid in the Newhaven and Peacehaven area.
An IOPC spokesman said the officer has been told he is under criminal investigation for the crime of causing death by dangerous driving.
The police officer is also being investigated for possible serious misconduct.
Sussex Police confirmed that they decided not to suspend the officer from duty.
Mr Holscher-Ermert was on foot when the collision occurred on the A259 South Coast Road at around 11:10pm on Saturday 30 April.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing officers try to handcuff the man as he lay dying in the street after being hit by the police car, claims the IOPC is investigating.
His death was confirmed at the scene a short time later.
The IOPC said they were investigating why Sussex police were after him and whether police had restrained him as he lay dying.
Graham Beesley, Regional Director of the IOPC, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of Mr Holscher-Ermert and all others who were involved in this tragic incident and affected by his death.
“We have provided his family with an update on the progress of our investigation and will be meeting with them soon.
“In addition to investigating the collision, we are also examining the events leading up to it and the immediate subsequent police actions.
“It is important that we establish why the police were pursuing Mr. Holscher-Ermert, including what information the police had on him or the vehicle he was driving, if any.
“We will also consider whether the officers’ actions were later in line with policy and procedure.
“This will include looking at the aftercare that was provided.
“We are aware of reports that Mr. Holscher-Ermert was handcuffed at the scene and this will form part of our investigation.
“We understand the concern this incident has caused in the community and I would like to assure everyone that we will conduct a thorough and independent investigation to establish exactly what happened and why.”
A post-mortem examination was held on Thursday and supporters and family of Mr Holscher-Ermert staged a protest outside police headquarters in Lewes on Saturday.
Sussex Police said the force supports the IOPC investigation.
A spokesman said police and members of the public immediately administered first aid at the scene.
The driver has not been suspended from his duties.
The spokesperson added: “The officer has not assumed duties since the incident and will be assigned restricted non-public-facing duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Suspension was considered under police regulations.”
Sussex Police Superintendent James Collis said: “This is a tragic and distressing incident for the family and friends of Mr Holscher-Ermert. Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.
“While there has been much speculation, it is vital that all the facts of the case can be fully, fairly and objectively investigated by the IOPC. That is the purpose of an independent investigation.
“We are providing every assistance to the IOPC to allow for a thorough investigation and for the family to receive the answers they need.
“We would ask the public to allow the investigation to run its course.”
The IOPC said its investigation so far has reviewed dashboard camera footage of a member of the public driving in the area and footage of the police car involved in the collision, as well as body camera video footage of the officers on the scene.
READ MORE: Sue Addis murder trial: Pietro is an ‘unreliable historian’
Reference-www.theargus.co.uk