Lincolnshire Police gives O’Neill final warning after 2024 collision
Lincolnshire Police has given PC Aodan O’Neill a final written warning after a misconduct hearing over a November 4, 2024 collision with a pedestrian in Lincoln. He was not dismissed after the hearing at Nettleham Police headquarters on Friday, May 15.
Broadgate in Lincoln
The collision happened at a pedestrian crossing on Broadgate while O’Neill was responding to an emergency call. He was driving with blue lights and sirens on and travelling at between 54 and 58mph as he approached the crossing.
The traffic lights were on red, and a man listening to music stepped out when he saw the green sign for pedestrians. O’Neill braked sharply, but the pedestrian was hit by the passenger side of the car.
O’Neill stopped immediately and assisted the victim. The man suffered minor injuries and has recovered.
Nottingham Crown Court
O’Neill pleaded guilty to dangerous driving in March and was disqualified from driving for 12 months at Nottingham Crown Court on March 19. The court also imposed a 12-month community order and ordered 150 hours of unpaid work.
The hearing was told that he had been trained in emergency response driving and had continued to work as a response officer. Steven Reed described the collision as a “momentary lapse of judgement” and said O’Neill was “genuinely remorseful.”
Paul Gibson hearing
O’Neill told the hearing: “Policing is more than just a job to me. I love serving the community,” and “I made a mistake which has lived with me ever since, and will continue to for a long time.” He also said: “I see myself as an honest, hard-working officer who admits his mistake.”
Chief Constable Paul Gibson said: “This is an exceptional case where the officer did everything right except for a split-second decision.” He also said: “The public would expect him to run towards danger to assist his colleague.”
The final written warning leaves O’Neill in post after both a criminal sentence and a misconduct case for the same incident. For Lincolnshire Police, the outcome closes the disciplinary process with a sanction short of dismissal.
