Two Devon Cops Sacked Over Shocking Joyride in Seized Car
Two police constables from Devon and Cornwall Police were dumped without warning on Thursday 25 March 2021. A misconduct panel found PC Shaun Pearce and PC Daniel Pike guilty of gross misconduct after a reckless stunt in 2019.
Joyride Gone Wrong During Road Safety Campaign
Back in January 2019, Pearce and Pike were part of the ‘No Excuses’ road safety team targeting dangerous driving behaviours known as The Fatal Five. While on duty, the pair seized a vehicle and, without asking the owner, Pearce took it for a 3.1-mile spin. The dangerous joyride included speeds hitting 89mph. Minutes later, they returned the car exactly where they found it.
Video Evidence Spells Disaster
Pike, riding shotgun, filmed parts of the reckless drive—excessive speed included—and shared the footage in a WhatsApp group with fellow officers. The duo claimed they had a valid reason for moving the car, but a three-day hearing shattered their excuses.
Fired and Barred from Policing For Good
The misconduct panel ruled both officers breached standards of honesty, integrity, respect, and responsibility. Their dismissal was immediate and without notice. On top of that, Pearce and Pike are now on the College of Policing Barred List, effectively banning them from ever serving as police officers again.
Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell, Head of Professional Standards, said: “The behaviour displayed by these officers falls well below what the force and the public expect of a police officer. Through their actions, they have undermined the public’s trust and confidence in the police force and taken advantage of the responsibility placed on them in their roles. We will not tolerate such behaviours and therefore dismissal was the right and proper outcome.”
