Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg has publicly stated he is considering legal action regarding the government’s decision to include two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers in an early release program. PC Harper was killed in the line of duty in 2019 while attempting to stop three individuals who were fleeing a burglary. The incident resulted in the convictions of Henry Long, Albert Bowers, and Jessie Cole for manslaughter.

The government’s early release scheme, set to commence in October, is designed to address significant prison capacity issues across the United Kingdom. While the policy aims to manage the current inmate population, it has faced criticism from victims' families and law enforcement officials who argue that certain offenders should be exempt from such programs due to the severity of their crimes. Chief Constable Hogg has expressed concerns that the release of these specific individuals undermines the justice served in the original trial. The Ministry of Justice has maintained that the scheme is a necessary measure to prevent a total breakdown in the prison system, though they have not commented on the specific legal challenge proposed by the Chief Constable. As of now, no formal legal filing has been submitted, but the situation highlights the ongoing tension between managing prison overcrowding and ensuring that sentences for serious crimes are served in full.