in weekend crashes.

Senior officers yesterday began a routine inquiry into how the patrol cars, worth around $30,000 each, were severely damaged in separate incidents.

A Police Sergeant needed treatment for whiplash after the station wagon he was driving collided with a Scirocco just after 5 p.m. on Friday.

The Scirocco driver was unhurt but both cars were badly damaged and there were long traffic tailbacks after the smash on Middle Road near Riddell's Bay.

Two women Police officers escaped unhurt when their Mitsubishi patrol car hit a wall on St. John's Road, Pembroke at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday.

The pair had been driving south on St. John's Road when the car went into a skid in wet weather.

Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning said both incidents were being investigated but there was "no need for concern''.

He said: "Our drivers are very well trained and we are treating these as isolated accidents.

"We know that at least one of the crashes was a straightforward accident and it appears the driving conditions this weekend were particularly hazardous.

"Even so, each accident is being investigated by an officer senior to the driver and if there is any suggestion of poor standards, action will be taken.

"However, I do not believe that will be the case with either of these incidents.

"We do not believe there is any problem with our procedures. Police drivers go on a standard driving course at Prospect and there is an advanced driving course for officers who move into traffic.

"These were simply two accidents which happened within a short time span.'' Neither Police car was responding to an emergency call.

ACCIDENT AC