Surrey Police have announced that the officer who rammed an escaped cow with his police car has been removed from frontline duties.
Disturbing footage from Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, shows a police vehicle forcefully colliding with the runaway calf, named Beau, and sending it flying. The video, which quickly circulated online, ignited widespread outrage over the police's handling of the situation and prompted calls for intervention from the Home Office. In response, Surrey Police removed the officer involved from active duty but did not issue an apology.
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Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp acknowledged the public's distress, promising a thorough investigation. "I fully appreciate the distress our handling of this incident has caused and will ensure that it is thoroughly and diligently investigated," he said. The case has been referred to both the Professional Standards Department and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for independent review.
The officer responsible has been temporarily reassigned from frontline duties while these investigations are ongoing.
Beau, the calf, has since been returned to her owner and is recuperating with her herd. She suffered a large cut on one leg, along with other cuts and grazes. A vet is monitoring her condition, and rural officers are in contact with her owner for updates.
Deputy Chief Constable Kemp added, "Efforts were made to contact local vets without success and to identify the owner. Understanding why these efforts were unsuccessful and what more could have been done will be a key part of the investigation."