The Independent Office for Police Conduct has confirmed that a PC is the subject of a criminal probe after an empty vehicle rolled down a Maryport hill and hit two girls.
The two youngsters, both of secondary school age, were hurt in the incident on Senhouse Street just before 6pm on April 18 this year.
One girl was taken to hospital with serious injuries and was described at the time as being in a critical but stable condition.
The other girl suffered minor injuries and was discharged from hospital.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said: “We received a referral from Cumbria Constabulary after the incident in which an unoccupied police vehicle rolled downhill and struck two girls.
“Our investigation, which is being carried out independently of the police, has undertaken investigative work gathering and reviewing evidence from the scene.
“Based on the available information at this time, the police constable who was driving the van has been advised they are under criminal investigation.”
The probe is focusing on two possible Road Traffic Act offences: leaving a vehicle unattended and leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position.
The constable involved also been served with a gross misconduct notice for potential breaches of police standards for professional behaviour, in relation to duties and responsibilities and orders and instructions.
The IOPC spokesman stressed that the serving of these notices did not necessarily mean that criminal charges or disciplinary proceedings will follow.
IOPC director of engagement Amanda Rowe said: “Our sympathies remain with the girls, their friends and families and everyone else affected. We hope the girls continue to recover well from the injuries sustained.
“Our role is to independently investigate the involvement of police in this collision to establish the circumstances.
“The conduct notice relates to the actions and decisions of the officer, specifically an indication that the officer may have failed to correctly park and secure the van, and whether that was in line with training, policy and procedure.
“We have spoken to the girls’ families to explain our role and will keep them updated as our work progresses.
“After we were notified by the force of the incident, IOPC investigators have been reviewing evidence including obtaining and analysing CCTV, police body worn video and dash-cam footage.
“A vehicle examination has also taken place which has shown there were no vehicle defects.”
