Chief constable considers joining legal action if PC’s killers are released early

Thames Valley’s top officer says he may join Police Federation in court if convicted pair are freed from jail The chief constable of Thames Valley police has said he will consider joining legal action against the government if it fails to block the early release of two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers. The Police Federation is contemplating going to court in its attempts to keep Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers in prison. In August 2019, Harper, 28, died when he was dragged down a country road in Berkshire by a car as Cole, Bowers and their accomplice Henry Long fled the scene of a quad bike theft. All three were convicted of manslaughter in 2020. Cole and Bowers were sentenced to 13 years in prison and could be released early as part of the government’s drive to free up prison places. Long, who was driving the car, was given a 16-year jail sentence and does not qualify for early release. On Wednesday morning, Jason Hogg, who was on duty the night Harper died, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he would “certainly” consider joining the Police Federation in court action if the government refused to reverse its position, pending legal advice. “I was contacted by the Poli