AN Essex Police officer has been issued a final written warning after an accelerated misconduct hearing. 

A misconduct panel, chaired by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, found PC A had breached professional standards in respect of discreditable conduct which amounted to gross misconduct at the hearing on Monday 18 August. 

On the afternoon of Wednesday 1 February 2023, a single vehicle collision occurred when PC A was driving a car and collided with a tree. PC A was off duty at the time.

Following an investigation, PC A attended magistrates’ court where they pled guilty to an offence of drink driving. PC A received a fine and was disqualified from driving for 19 months (reduced on completion of course). 

This was reported to our Professional Standards Department and an investigation was launched. 

At the accelerated misconduct hearing, PC A was given a final written warning.

Chief Constable Harrington said: “In pleading guilty to drink driving at court, PC A recognised they had broken the law, and their actions fell far below the standards we expect from every officer within Essex Police, whether they are on or off duty.”

“Whilst it is highly unusual for the officer not to be dismissed there are sensitive circumstances known to me as the chair that mean this is an exceptional case meaning dismissal was not the right outcome”

“Each and every day, we are committed to keeping roads safe for everyone but driving under the influence of alcohol is a major factor in causing death and serious injury on our roads and this case undermines this work and the hard work of the overwhelming majority of our officers who work tirelessly to protect and serve the people of Essex.”

Media guidance: As part of the hearing, several reporting restrictions were granted. They are as follows:

• Officer is to be referred to as PC A only and cannot be named in any reporting.

• The location of the drink driving offence and the court name cannot be named as this could lead to jigsaw identification.

• Summary of chair’s rationale on finding will be redacted to ensure officer is not identified and sensitive personal information disclosed.