A man was tragically killed in a hit-and-run after being left barefoot on the street by police officers three miles away from his home. The incident occurred after officers responded to a call at the residence of Gareth Roper, a father of six, due to concerns raised by his wife about his behavior on New Year’s Day 2022.
Following the initial interaction, Mr. Roper was briefly detained and subsequently released outside a local store without his belongings. He was found standing in his boxer shorts with his clothing left on the pavement beside him. Tragically, he was struck by a vehicle while walking along the road and suffered fatal injuries.
After an investigation, it was determined that Greater Manchester Police Sergeant David Wood had breached professional standards leading to his demotion. Additionally, misconduct findings were also established against a former sergeant and two other officers involved in the incident. The officers implicated will undergo reflective practice to enhance their performance.
Although evidence was reviewed for potential charges against the officers, none were pursued by the Crown Prosecution Service. The Independent Office for Police Conduct expressed condolences to Mr. Roper’s family and emphasized the importance of upholding the duty of care towards individuals in police custody. The findings of the investigation were shared with the coroner to facilitate the official process.
The IOPC’s thorough independent inquiry aimed to ensure accountability for those involved in the incident. While recognizing that nothing can alleviate the pain of Mr. Roper’s loved ones, the hope is that the investigative actions undertaken can offer some closure to the affected individuals.
