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Earlier today, Monday 10 August, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, Thames Valley Police Chief Constable, Jason Hogg, and Chair of the Thames Valley Police Federation, Aileen O’Connor, jointly wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to keep PC Andrew Harper’s killers behind bars.
Under the legislation as it currently stands, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, are set to be released from prison next year under the early release scheme.
The PCC has proposed an amendment to the Sentencing Act which would see individuals serving a sentence for manslaughter where the victim was an emergency service worker who died while discharging their duties excluded from the early release scheme. This would mean that Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole would not be released early under the Sentencing Act.
Matthew said: “It is entirely possible for the Government to frame legislation that would exempt the killers of emergency service workers from the provisions of the Sentencing Act.
“We are all prepared to work with the Government to improve the legislation and ensure PC Andrew Harper’s killers are not released early from prison next year.”
“As we approach the seventh anniversary of the killing of Andrew this weekend, it is imperative the Government act.
“There is no other acceptable outcome than Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole serving their full sentence behind bars.”
At the time of writing, over 879,000 people have signed Thames Valley Police Federation’s petition to stop the early release of Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole. You can add your name here: www.change.org/p/petition-to-stop-the-early-release-from-jail-of-pc-andrew-harper-s-killers
The PCC’s full release and the joint letter are available via this link: https://www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/news/thames-valley-police-leaders-continue-to-pressure-the-government-over-the-early-release-of-pc-andrew-harpers-killers/ 
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