Betrayed by the Force? Volunteer Cop Faces Charges After Being Hit by Drunk Driver
Decorated officer Martin Webb dedicated nine years to Sussex Police. Now, he faces a dangerous driving charge after a head-on collision where HE was the victim.
Imagine dedicating over nine years of your life to serving your community as a volunteer police officer—giving up countless hours with your family, enduring abuse, and putting your life on the line—only to find yourself facing charges for dangerous driving after being involved in a road traffic collision where you were the victim. This is the shocking reality for Martin Webbski Webb, a former Sussex Police Special Sergeant, whose story has left many outraged and questioning the values of a system that should stand for justice and fairness.
Martin recently took to Facebook to share his journey, which began with unwavering dedication and ended in what he has described as 'betrayal'. In his post shared on social media, Martin described his love for his job at Sussex Police, where he worked for over nine years as a volunteer police officer. He gave up thousands of hours that he could have spent with his family to serve the community of Brighton and Hove, making it a safer place to live.
He spoke of his deep respect for the professional and committed regular Constables, Sergeants, and PCSOs he worked with, many of whom he now considers friends. Martin's service earned him three medals, a Chief's Commendation for saving the life of a suicidal man, and recognition for his dedication and bravery in the face of difficult circumstances. His tireless efforts to serve the public, without being paid to risk his life and often at great personal cost, exemplified the spirit of policing and community service.
As a Special Sergeant, Martin took pride in mentoring and training his team, always striving to provide the best service to his community. He endured physical assaults, regular abuse, and the emotional toll of the job, yet he remained steadfast in his commitment.
However, his passion and dedication were met with 'betrayal' when he was involved in an incident in April. A drunk driver, speeding through town, swerved onto the wrong side of the road and crashed head-on into the marked police car Martin was driving. Despite being the victim of this collision, Martin experienced what he describes as the "ugly, nasty side of Sussex Police."
The organisation allegedly alienated him, bullied him, called him a liar, and provided no support, even as he dealt with injuries sustained during the incident. In Martin's view, this shocking turn of events exposed the systemic failings within the force. Martin accuses Sussex Police of double standards, lack of professionalism, and prioritising their image over fairness and accountability.
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He claims the drunk driver received more lenient treatment than he did, despite the Chief Constable's role as the national lead for Roads Policing. For Martin, the lack of support and the targeting he endured felt like a deep betrayal of the values he had sworn to uphold.
Sussex Police issued a press release stating that Martin Webb had been charged with dangerous driving and would appear at Guildford Magistrates' Court in January 2025. The release also highlighted that the driver of the car that hit Martin's marked police vehicle had been arrested and convicted of multiple offences, including driving over the legal alcohol limit and failing to stop. Martin resigned from his position in September 2024.
For many observers, this troubling sequence of events raises critical questions about how police officers - both volunteers and regulars - are treated and supported when incidents arise. The apparent lack of backing for someone who had given so much to the force, on the face of it, speaks volumes about the broader challenges within the policing system.
Martin's story has sparked an outpouring of support from the community. Many people have expressed their admiration for his dedication and character, sharing personal anecdotes that highlight his integrity and kindness. One supporter recalled working for Martin in the 1990s, describing how Martin's willingness to help during a financial crisis became a turning point in their life.
Another expressed their awareness of Martin's dedication to the force and pledged to follow his revelations with full support. These heartfelt tributes paint a picture of a man deeply committed to his values and his community, someone who consistently went above and beyond to help others. The groundswell of support also reflects the community's collective frustration and disappointment with how Martin has been treated.
This story underscores a troubling question about the treatment of volunteer officers in the UK police system. With dwindling recruitment and increasing reliance on volunteers, are these individuals truly valued for their sacrifices? Volunteer officers play an essential role in supplementing regular police forces, especially in times of financial and personnel challenges.
Yet, when issues arise, their contributions and dedication often seem undervalued or overlooked. As Martin prepares to share more of his experiences, his fight for justice serves as a rallying cry for accountability and change in a system that seems to have lost its way. A system that appears, for some reason, highly motivated to throw police officers under the bus. His story also serves as a reminder of the personal sacrifices made by volunteers, who often put themselves in harm's way without expectation of recognition or reward.
We will be watching Martin's story closely and providing updates as they develop. If you want to stay informed about this case and similar stories, we encourage you to sign up for our free newsletter. By subscribing, you can ensure you never miss an update on Martin's journey and the fight for justice. Your support helps us continue highlighting these important stories and bringing much-needed attention to the thin blue line—the brave men and women who give so much to protect their communities.
The Crisis in UK Policing: A System Failing Its Guardians?
The UK’s policing system is at a breaking point. Having served as both a regular officer and a volunteer—and with much of my family also in the force—I can say this with a measure of firsthand authority.
Every day, officers find themselves risking their lives to protect our communities—but in an alarming number of cases, these same officers feel betrayed by the very institutions sworn to stand behind them. The experience of Martin Webb—a decorated volunteer police officer now facing charges after a head-on collision where he was struck by a drunk driver—perfectly illustrates the deep-rooted crisis threatening to unravel the (very) thin blue line.
A System That Punishes Its Protectors
What happened to Martin Webb is more than just one man's ordeal. It's a stark reminder that when those who uphold the law aren't protected or supported, the entire system falters. How did Webb transform from a commendable public servant into a defendant in a legal battle? And why does his story mirror the experiences of so many other officers? In the deeper sections of this piece, we delve into the apparent systemic failures of UK law enforcement—failures that endanger officers' safety and erode public confidence in our justice system.
To uncover the full story, including the root causes of the crisis and how it affects us all, please subscribe to access the rest of this opinion piece. In doing so, you'll support independent, in-depth reporting that isn't afraid to confront uncomfortable truths about UK policing.
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