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10:22pm Monday 31st March 2008
A POLICE officer accused of ramming his patrol car into another motorist's vehicle has quit the force shortly before he was due to face a disciplinary hearing.
Blackburn-based PC Andy Chenery was due to go before a Lancashire Police misconduct board last week, but handed in a letter of resignation before the hearing could go ahead.
Mr Chenery had been subject to an internal investigation after former fitness instructor Stephen Harrison accused him of deliberately slamming a patrol car into his Rover 240 in November 2006.
Police have now revealed that there will be no criminal proceedings brought against Mr Chenery.
But Mr Chenery, 31, said that he resigned for personal reasons and not due to the allegations, which he denied.
He said: "My resignation is not connected with Mr Harrison's spurious and ill-founded allegations.
"I resigned for purely personal reasons, primarily to avoid embarrassing others.
"I was confident that the tribunal would have rejected Mr Harrison's claims."
At the time of the allegation, Mr Harrison, of Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, said he 'feared for his life' as the officer allegedly struck his stationary car at around 20mph.
Mr Harrison believed the alleged attack was prompted by a dispute involving his friend, who was a passenger in his car, and Mr Chenery.
The 22-year-old reported the matter to police and was quizzed by officers for two days.
In November 2007 he was contacted by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, who said they were helping to oversee the official investigation.
Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph a year after the incident, Mr Harrison said that he had noticed Mr Chenery following his car as he and his friend returned from a physio appointment in Great Harwood.
He claimed: "We pulled over in Shadsworth and I took my seat belt off and twisted my body to get out of the car because I wanted to speak to the officer.
"The police car slammed into the back of us at 20mph.
"There was a huge jolt and I was thrown forwards.
"The car then drove at us again and shunted us once more."
Mr Harrison said his friend fled the scene but Mr Chenery pulled his right arm behind his head and put a handcuff on him.
He said he was then released from the constraints and was not arrested.
Mr Harrison said that he had to give up his dream job as a fitness instructor because of a back injury he sustained during the alleged incident.
Mr Chenery was not suspended from his duties while the internal investigation was carried out.
His disciplinary hearing was cancelled after he handed in his notice.
Detective Superintendent Martyn Leveridge, from Lancashire Constabulary's Professional Standards Department, said: "Following on from an investigation carried out by Lancashire Constabulary's Professional Standards Department, a misconduct hearing which was due to take place on Tuesday March 25 has now been rescinded following the receipt of the officer's resignation."
Mr Chenery had contacted the Police Federation, a statutory establishment that represents the interests of officers, for support during the proceedings.
Joe Gibbons, of the Police Federation, said he believed that Mr Chenery was set to deny the allegations.
He said: "I believe the hearing was to go ahead on the view that he was not guilty of what he was accused of.
"His resignation finalised the investigation and our involvement.
"However, although he is no longer with the police, if something comes up later that relates to Mr Chenery's time as a police officer he is entitled to help from us."
A spokesperson for the IPCC said: "We were asked to supervise the police's investigation and would have set terms of reference for that investigation.
"Lancashire Police would have had to carry out their investigation and then bring that back to us but as the officer has resigned it has ended disciplinary proceedings."
Mick, Earth says...
6:13pm Thu 1 May 08
jean, scotland says...
1:32pm Mon 28 Apr 08
paul, BBurn says...
4:00pm Sun 27 Apr 08
jean, scotland says...
5:13pm Thu 24 Apr 08
paul, BBurn says...
1:38am Thu 24 Apr 08
jean, scotland says...
7:29pm Wed 23 Apr 08
Lee, Skelmersdale says...
11:24am Thu 17 Apr 08
jean, scotland says...
9:22am Wed 9 Apr 08
paul, BBurn says...
9:09pm Tue 8 Apr 08
jean, scotland says...
1:13pm Tue 8 Apr 08
Paul, Blackburn says...
9:56pm Mon 7 Apr 08
jean, scotland says...
5:57pm Mon 7 Apr 08
Paul, BBurn says...
7:24pm Sun 6 Apr 08
jean, scotland says...
11:04am Sun 6 Apr 08
Jenna Jameson, On Set says...
3:16pm Sat 5 Apr 08
Doris, Outsider says...
4:28pm Fri 4 Apr 08
the.napster, New York says...
1:37am Fri 4 Apr 08
Smiler, Darwen says...
1:42pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Greatful, Everywhere says...
11:10am Thu 3 Apr 08
Sole Survivor, In Society (not outcast) says...
1:25am Thu 3 Apr 08
Nicky Talbot wrote:Coppers do have degrees! Its called a degree of intelligence you fool. If you had any intelligence you'd know that the police wear the queens crown on their uniform - as do the army - anybody can wear medals even civilian like you (that doesn't include dinner medals that you have spilt down your shirt). As for a job in sandwich factory - Im sure he could butter a few people up! Ps when where you last arrested?
I think this Pc was way beyond the mark - yes, I have read the glowing endorsements but surely these have just been written by his friends??? Alright, I did not know this PC personally but he must of done something wrong for it to appear in the paper - after all, there's no smoke without fire. Coppers are all idiots - I thought most of them would have degrees but they don't. What is this PC doing wearing his Army medals on his tunic anyway? How wrong is that? Military life is not an extension of Police life - I would be interested to see how tall this PC Chenners is as it certainly appears to me that he has 'small man syndrome'. What was he in the Army anyway? I bet he was just an admin clark. Let's get serious for a moment, someone told me that he always used to make stupid mistakes and, although the rest of the team were behind him, he still kept making them. I bet he couldn't get a job in a sandwich factory now and good riddance - I am sick of Coppers getting off with things just because they are coppers.
Boberella, Earth says...
8:09pm Wed 2 Apr 08
boomerang clock, there says...
6:34pm Wed 2 Apr 08
Graham, Shadsworth says...
6:17pm Wed 2 Apr 08
bent clocks mate, blackburn says...
5:39pm Wed 2 Apr 08
Sensible Steve, Darwen with Blackburn says...
4:41pm Wed 2 Apr 08
the.napster@fbi.gov wrote:Not being aware is NOT a defence in law - it is HIS responsibility to know who is driving the car - you get with it !
sensible steve, the complaint was made exacly two days after the incident, with statement taken shortly after, the investigation has taken 17 month,thats the IPCC, just in case you ant with it, so before you say this is all dreamed up i suggest you base you comments on what is fact, and not speculation, again you assume Mr harrison was aware that the Driver was deisquallified infact he clearly would be charged if that ws the case. But he hasnt because he was unaware! GET WITH IT!
not straight clock, here says...
2:12pm Wed 2 Apr 08
the.napster@fbi.gov, Blackburn says...
1:41pm Wed 2 Apr 08
Sensible Steve, Darwen with Blackburn says...
1:04pm Wed 2 Apr 08
Sensible Steve, Darwen with Blackburn says...
12:17pm Wed 2 Apr 08
Dave, Shadsworth wrote:Duh ! Read previous entries - you cannot allow a disqualified driver to drive your car, its called aiding and abetting - just as guilty as the driver.
Im Spartacus ! wrote: Its just typical, all we are hearing here is one side of the story & people are jumping down PC Chenerys neck, Will the person who was allegedly rammed stand up & tell us why he was being followed in the first place ? hell no..but i can bet he aint no angel ! so ask yourself, do you really believe what he is saying in the paper before making assumptions !The driver was disqualified from driving. Mr Harrison was in fact the passenger
Legal Driver, Blackburn says...
11:40am Wed 2 Apr 08
Kayleah, says...
11:21am Wed 2 Apr 08
bent rock, On the nest says...
11:11am Wed 2 Apr 08
Mr e nigma, Blackburn says...
10:46am Wed 2 Apr 08
??????? wrote:As chenery has experianced, ya cant take the law into your own hands, even the police have guide lines they must follow mr chenery obviously failed to follow these, lets not forget here that the good mr chenery is now a dole dosser himself.
Mr C U INCOURT wrote:What do they say low life criminals always stick together, looks like there\'s alot o them on here doesn\'t it!!! And as for coppers are all idiots lets see who you cry out for when you need help eh!!! You need to get a grip! And as for not bein able to get a job in a sandwich factory, whats your occupation then, another dole dosser im guessin!!Nicky Talbot wrote: I think this Pc was way beyond the mark - yes, I have read the glowing endorsements but surely these have just been written by his friends??? Alright, I did not know this PC personally but he must of done something wrong for it to appear in the paper - after all, there\'s no smoke without fire. Coppers are all idiots - I thought most of them would have degrees but they don\'t. What is this PC doing wearing his Army medals on his tunic anyway? How wrong is that? Military life is not an extension of Police life - I would be interested to see how tall this PC Chenners is as it certainly appears to me that he has \'small man syndrome\'. What was he in the Army anyway? I bet he was just an admin clark. Let\'s get serious for a moment, someone told me that he always used to make stupid mistakes and, although the rest of the team were behind him, he still kept making them. I bet he couldn\'t get a job in a sandwich factory now and good riddance - I am sick of Coppers getting off with things just because they are coppers.Here here! Well said!
Dave, Shadsworth, Blackburn says...
10:34am Wed 2 Apr 08
Mr Harrison wrote:You can't even spell
I am the person he rammed of the road. Im sure mr chin bob was a very decent copper, and he may of recieve medals in the army, but that does not explain his actions on the day in question. He acted very unprofesionally, without a care for my personal safty or the driver of my car, and the children playing on the street that morning. Andy had his oppertunity to stand up for his self and prove himself, instead he chose to resign and walk away. I ask you all is that the actions of an innocent man, or a guilty man walkin away from his responcabilties. At the end of the day you are all judging me by the limited facts you have been told by third parties, well i suggest ya get ya facts right before you start running ya gums thinkin ya all that. And for the record im very much a tax payer. But like thats any concern of yours.
Dave, Shadsworth, Blackburn says...
10:33am Wed 2 Apr 08
Im Spartacus ! wrote:The driver was disqualified from driving. Mr Harrison was in fact the passenger
Its just typical, all we are hearing here is one side of the story & people are jumping down PC Chenerys neck, Will the person who was allegedly rammed stand up & tell us why he was being followed in the first place ? hell no..but i can bet he aint no angel ! so ask yourself, do you really believe what he is saying in the paper before making assumptions !
???????, Blackburn says...
8:57am Wed 2 Apr 08
Mr C U INCOURT wrote:What do they say low life criminals always stick together, looks like there's alot o them on here doesn't it!!! And as for coppers are all idiots lets see who you cry out for when you need help eh!!! You need to get a grip! And as for not bein able to get a job in a sandwich factory, whats your occupation then, another dole dosser im guessin!!
Nicky Talbot wrote: I think this Pc was way beyond the mark - yes, I have read the glowing endorsements but surely these have just been written by his friends??? Alright, I did not know this PC personally but he must of done something wrong for it to appear in the paper - after all, there's no smoke without fire. Coppers are all idiots - I thought most of them would have degrees but they don't. What is this PC doing wearing his Army medals on his tunic anyway? How wrong is that? Military life is not an extension of Police life - I would be interested to see how tall this PC Chenners is as it certainly appears to me that he has 'small man syndrome'. What was he in the Army anyway? I bet he was just an admin clark. Let's get serious for a moment, someone told me that he always used to make stupid mistakes and, although the rest of the team were behind him, he still kept making them. I bet he couldn't get a job in a sandwich factory now and good riddance - I am sick of Coppers getting off with things just because they are coppers.Here here! Well said!
Get a grip, says...
8:41am Wed 2 Apr 08
Bill b wrote:Yes there is images from the helicopter which actually goes to prove PC Chenery's innocence!!!! There are some very bitter, vindictive and nasty people out there, when did this happen - 17 months ago - move on and get a life!
bystander wrote: We haven't had the full story and the "Bad back" all sounds a bit like a big claim to me. Any photos of the shunted car? Thought not.There are photo's and a full video evidence of the incident as the police helicopter was recoring the incident. i think is about time the video was made public so we can put all these protective coppers back in there place. this officer is a bad image for your constabulary.
big Vern, your house ! says...
8:13am Wed 2 Apr 08
Nicky Talbot wrote:Even if he was the smallest person in the world ( Which he is far from ), he could still hold his head high above yours !
I think this Pc was way beyond the mark - yes, I have read the glowing endorsements but surely these have just been written by his friends??? Alright, I did not know this PC personally but he must of done something wrong for it to appear in the paper - after all, there\'s no smoke without fire. Coppers are all idiots - I thought most of them would have degrees but they don\'t. What is this PC doing wearing his Army medals on his tunic anyway? How wrong is that? Military life is not an extension of Police life - I would be interested to see how tall this PC Chenners is as it certainly appears to me that he has \'small man syndrome\'. What was he in the Army anyway? I bet he was just an admin clark. Let\'s get serious for a moment, someone told me that he always used to make stupid mistakes and, although the rest of the team were behind him, he still kept making them. I bet he couldn\'t get a job in a sandwich factory now and good riddance - I am sick of Coppers getting off with things just because they are coppers.
Mr C U INCOURT, A* Classified says...
2:31am Wed 2 Apr 08
Nicky Talbot wrote:Here here! Well said!
I think this Pc was way beyond the mark - yes, I have read the glowing endorsements but surely these have just been written by his friends??? Alright, I did not know this PC personally but he must of done something wrong for it to appear in the paper - after all, there's no smoke without fire. Coppers are all idiots - I thought most of them would have degrees but they don't. What is this PC doing wearing his Army medals on his tunic anyway? How wrong is that? Military life is not an extension of Police life - I would be interested to see how tall this PC Chenners is as it certainly appears to me that he has 'small man syndrome'. What was he in the Army anyway? I bet he was just an admin clark. Let's get serious for a moment, someone told me that he always used to make stupid mistakes and, although the rest of the team were behind him, he still kept making them. I bet he couldn't get a job in a sandwich factory now and good riddance - I am sick of Coppers getting off with things just because they are coppers.
Nicky Talbot, says...
2:02am Wed 2 Apr 08
The Matrix Man, says...
1:50am Wed 2 Apr 08
A resident of Darwen, Lancashire says...
1:33am Wed 2 Apr 08
Pete, Darwen says...
12:51am Wed 2 Apr 08
Darren wrote:Nice to know that people like you still exist!
To those criticising the PC. You will are the first to scream like a baby when there is nobody to defend your home, child, car, etc etc from the vile scum that this government allow to roam the streets due the Police\'s hands being tide behind their backs. All because some have had to endure the law of the land they think they can continue to hold a grudge, instead of being a man and admitting to what they did wrong. We need more hard line coppers, not less. That is one of the reasons I will mention to any trough snout ***tard of an MP (or representative) that dare come to my door. If the Police had the powers of they had before this criminal friendly government got into power to deal with offences, there would be half of the crime that there is. Example, when was the last time you seen a vehicle stopped at the side of the road with a normal patrol car with them? I ain\'t seen one for years. It used to be all the time. Now they are forced to spend hours dealing with one \'criminal\' before they can get back out on the streets again to protect the law abiding from scum. Furthermore, if your life is in danger, they will pull you away/out of danger no matter how much they hate or like you. If people think they can do better, than join up. Note... I am NOT in the job and never have been. Was going to join once, then realised there are to many tossers who don\'t deserve protection, like some of the posters here. PS. PC\'s everywhere, keep up the restricted fight that you do, because people like me think you\'re stars.
Darren, Darwen says...
12:24am Wed 2 Apr 08
Bill b, ?? says...
11:42pm Tue 1 Apr 08
bystander wrote:There are photo's and a full video evidence of the incident as the police helicopter was recoring the incident. i think is about time the video was made public so we can put all these protective coppers back in there place. this officer is a bad image for your constabulary.
We haven't had the full story and the "Bad back" all sounds a bit like a big claim to me. Any photos of the shunted car? Thought not.
Phil & Margaret, clayton le moors says...
11:40pm Tue 1 Apr 08
the half full glass, the moon says...
11:37pm Tue 1 Apr 08
The Special One, says...
10:45pm Thu 1 May 08