A City of London Police officer has been found guilty of gross misconduct after flipping his car in a drink-drive crash following a rugby club night out. The officer, who was granted anonymity by the misconduct tribunal, crashed a black BMW in Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, after consuming seven pints of beer.
The constable pleaded guilty to drink-driving on 6 April and was fined and handed an 18-month road ban when sentenced on 9 July. At a subsequent misconduct hearing, City of London Police Commissioner Peter O’Doherty ruled that the officer, referred to as ‘Constable X’, would have been dismissed without notice had he not already resigned.
Commissioner O’Doherty stated: “On the April 6 2024, you drove your vehicle whilst significantly intoxicated, and well over the legal limit, causing the vehicle to crash and turn over.” The officer had argued that his mental health was affected at the time of the incident.
However, the Commissioner rejected this defence, noting that the officer had been playing rugby, gone to the pub, drunk seven pints, and then driven. He concluded that there was no evidence to suggest the officer was not in control of his decisions or actions.
As a result of the ruling, the officer’s name will be added to the list of disgraced officers barred from future roles in policing. He had already resigned from the force prior to the conclusion of the misconduct proceedings.
