Exclusive by Jo Sword

Almost 90 on-duty Kent Police officers have been handed penalty points and fines over the past three years for speeding while not responding to an emergency call.

The figures have been released to the KM Group following a Freedom of Information Act request.

The news comes just a day after policeman Malcolm Searles was jailed for killing grandmother Sandra Simpson while speeding in a police car up to 100mph.

When an emergency vehicle triggers a speed camera if a blue light is visible then no further action will be taken, but if no blue light is visible the Central Ticket Office will issue a Notice of Intended Prosecution.

It is then up to the police officer in question to prove they were responding to an emergency. If they can not prove that, penalties are then issued.

While the number of officers who have accepted a £60 fine and three points on his/her licence is falling year on year, the number of Notices of Intended Prosecution is rising.

Audio: Asst Chief Constable Andy Adams on the latest figures

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Adams said: “The number of Notices of Intended Prosecution has increased and that is us asking more of our officers to account for why they have broken the speed limit. But you will also note at the same time the number of those that couldn’t justify breaking the speed limit has reduced.”

Kent Police recently altered its policy for officers who get caught speeding. They now have to notify the Professional Standards Department of any fixed penalty notice they receive for speeding, before information on speeding convictions that had been imposed by a court had to be passed over.

ACC Adams said: “We think that a robust approach to asking the question and recognition by our officers that they need to account for their actions has reduced the number of people who are breaking the speed limit.

“Anybody who breaks the speed limit is accountable to the law in the same way a member of the public is.

“There are also internal discipline procedures that can be invoked in those circumstances, so there is a dual process that runs with police officers.”