Man charged over hit-and-run death of policeman

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/sep/23/police-hit-and-run-man-charged

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A man has been charged over the death of a police officer who was killed in a suspected hit-and-run collision, the Metropolitan police have said. Gary Bromige, aged 25, from South Norwood in south London, will appear at south-western magistrates court, south London, today charged with causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

Traffic officer PC Andrew Duncan died in hospital yesterday morning after being hit by a car during a speed enforcement operation in Sutton, south London, in the early hours of Friday.

PC Duncan, a member of the south-west traffic unit for nearly 10 years, had attempted to stop the car by signalling for the driver to pull over before the collision. The car was later found abandoned nearby.

Bromige has also been charged with failing to report an accident and driving without insurance, the Metropolitan police said.

Two men aged 19 and aged 20 who were arrested yesterday evening in connection with the investigation remain in custody at a south London police station. A woman who was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of perverting the course of justice has since been bailed.

Britain's most senior police officer led the tributes to long-serving PC Duncan, 47, a married father of two.

Metropolitan police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "Andy was a hardworking and courageous policeman. He served the community as both a police officer and as a Scouting volunteer.

"The night he was injured, he was doing a job that he loved, and we all had every right to expect he would return safely to his home and family – tragically, that was not the case."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson was among others to pay tribute to the constable. He said: "His death is a tragedy and a reminder of the courage and sacrifice shown daily by the men and women who keep London safe."

PC Duncan joined the Metropolitan Police in 1990.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 020-8941 9011.

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