AN OFFICER involved in a crash which left a pensioner dead has been cleared of gross misconduct.

PC Richard Harris was accused of driving too fast while responding to a 999 emergency.

His patrol vehicle struck 79-year-old David Ormesher in Edward Street, Brighton leaving the pensioner dead in August 2017.

Now, after nearly three years of investigation into his conduct, PC Harris has been cleared.

In tears this week he told a disciplinary hearing that he thinks about the crash every day.

Sussex Police Federation chairman Matt Webb agreed with the view that the treatment of the officer has been “disgusting”.

He has called for more protection for frontline officers acting on emergency duties.

Inspector Webb said: “As a society, we must give police officers the support required when they carry out these roles, even if the worst sadly happens.

“Police officers have no issue with being held accountable for their actions – we are the most accountable of public services. And it is only right that following a tragic death the circumstances are fully examined.

“But how can it be just or justified to have a police officer’s life put on hold for so long?”

He said the case should not have been investigated as gross misconduct and said there should be time limits in place. He praised PC Harris’s professionalism and dignity.

The case was referred to the IOPC who handed over a file to the Crown Prosecution Service to review. But the CPS decided no charge should be brought against PC Harris.

Mr Ormesher’s family asked for a review of the decision, but the CPS stood by its decision.

This week Sussex Police held a four-day hearing into the officer’s conduct, alleging the frontline officer had been driving too fast.

But Insp Webb said: “We note the findings today in the hearing against PC Richard Harris. Our thoughts remain with the family of David Ormesher, who sadly lost his life as a result of the tragic accident in August 2017.

“Our colleague PC Harris can now finally get on with his career, having been investigated over this incident for the past three years. It’s no exaggeration to say that this ordeal has had a significant impact on him.

“At this hearing, PC Samantha Cooper, who was a passenger in the police car that night, said PC Harris had been treated ‘appallingly’ throughout the criminal and subsequent disciplinary investigations and labelled his treatment ‘disgusting’. We fully concur.”