Met Officer Found 'Staggering Drunk' After Drinking Wine While On Duty
A Metropolitan Police officer was discovered to be "so intoxicated that he could not walk straight" after consuming multiple glasses of white wine while officially on duty, a misconduct panel has determined. The former detective constable, Sean Brierley, has since departed the force, but the panel concluded he would have been summarily dismissed had he not already left his position.
Events of the Evening
On the evening of 2 July 2025, Brierley was informed that a suspect held at Leyton police station was not yet ready for interview. Instead of remaining at his post, he proceeded to the Gravity Well Taproom in Leyton, east London. CCTV footage from the establishment revealed he ordered three glasses of white wine over a two-hour period.
Upon his return to the police station later that evening, surveillance showed him "unsteady on his feet", "staggering", and visibly "off balance". The panel, which heard evidence on 12 February, was told that a custody sergeant reported Brierley "smelt drunk", while other staff members noted his speech was noticeably "slurred".
Panel Findings and Consequences
Panel chair Commander Katie Lilburn summarised the findings, stating: "The fact that the former officer was so intoxicated that he could not walk straight meant that he was unfit to deal with a prisoner in custody, which was the purpose of him being at the police station." She emphasised that his actions were "intentional, deliberate, and planned", highlighting the particular danger of being drunk while on duty in a custody environment.
The situation escalated when concerned colleagues arranged a welfare check at Brierley's home around 12:20am. Officers discovered him lying in bed wearing only boxer shorts, with the duvet removed. They described him as "looking very disoriented" and "staring at the ceiling in a glazed manner". Although he stated he was okay, he did not inquire why they were present or attempt to cover himself or sit up.
The panel ultimately ruled that Brierley's conduct constituted gross misconduct, warranting dismissal. This case underscores serious breaches of professional standards within the Metropolitan Police, raising questions about on-duty behaviour and accountability.
