The chief constable of Thames Valley Police has indicated a willingness to participate in potential legal action against the government if it does not intervene to prevent the early release of two individuals convicted in the case of PC Andrew Harper’s murder.
The Police Federation is evaluating the possibility of pursuing a judicial review in an effort to ensure that Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers remain incarcerated.
PC Harper, 28, tragically lost his life in August 2019 when he was pulled along a rural road in Berkshire by a vehicle as Cole, Bowers, and their accomplice Henry Long attempted to evade capture following a quad bike theft.
In 2020, all three were found guilty of manslaughter. Cole and Bowers received sentences of 13 years each and may be eligible for early release as part of the government’s initiative to alleviate prison overcrowding. Long, who was behind the wheel during the incident, was sentenced to 16 years and is not eligible for early release.
On Wednesday morning, Jason Hogg, who was on duty when the incident occurred, expressed on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he would definitely consider joining the Police Federation in any legal proceedings if the government does not reassess its stance, pending legal counsel.
Hogg stated, “I was contacted by the Police Federation yesterday, who informed me they are seeking legal advice and exploring options for a judicial review against the government,” during an interview with The Guardian. “I am closely monitoring the situation and will speak with the Police Federation again. My hope is that we will not reach that point and that the government will take our concerns seriously.”
Prison capacity in England and Wales is currently at critical levels. Starting in October, the government plans to release approximately 5,000 prisoners who have served a third of their sentence.
Following Harper’s death, his widow, Lissie, successfully advocated for legislative changes that were enacted in 2022, mandating life sentences for individuals convicted of manslaughter against emergency workers while on duty. However, this new law cannot be applied retroactively.
Hogg revealed that he had written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham 12 days prior to express his concerns regarding the potential early release of Cole and Bowers but had not yet received a response. He intends to reach out again to Burnham, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Justice Secretary Alex Norris to discuss “the implications of this decision on officer morale and the broader policing community.”
While Hogg refrained from commenting on whether all individuals convicted of manslaughter should be excluded from the early release program, he emphasized that the government has already stated that those serving sentences for serious crimes, including rape and child sexual offenses, will not be eligible for early release due to advocacy from victims.
“It is not my place to dictate government policy or legislation,” Hogg remarked. “However, I believe that many people would agree that individuals who take another’s life should remain incarcerated for as long as possible, and I do not think that view is particularly contentious.”
Furthermore, he noted that Harper’s status as an emergency services worker is a “significantly aggravating factor” in this case. Hogg also called for increased investment in rehabilitation within the criminal justice system, estimating that it would cost around £480 million to manage released offenders in the community effectively.
“There needs to be a balance between the risks posed by overcrowded prisons and the dangers of releasing individuals early who may still pose a threat to society,” he added. “One of the issues with the Sentencing Act is that it bases early release solely on the crime committed rather than on the individual’s rehabilitation or the risk they present to the community.”
“If someone who has shown no remorse is released early, that risk must be managed by probation services and law enforcement,” Hogg concluded.
