Drink-driving PC crashed car while on duty

News imageBBC A police car parked in front of an area that has been cordoned off with police tape. The car says Essex Police Protecting and Serving Essex BBC

A drink-driving police officer who crashed an unmarked car while on duty would have been sacked if he had not already resigned, a misconduct panel ruled.

PC Adam Gardiner hit a road barrier moments after failing to stop for another police officer on 21 November.

He was arrested at the scene and suspended by Essex Police after being released from custody.

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said his actions were "serious, deliberate and dangerous" after he was given a 10-month suspended prison sentence at Exeter Crown Court.

The incident took place in Somerset and officers from Devon and Cornwall Police were behind Gardiner's arrest.

He was driving an unmarked police vehicle when he failed to stop for officers, before crashing and damaging road barriers.

News imageBen-Julian Harrington, who has short brown hair, staring at the camera with a serious expression. He is wearing a white shirt with a black tie and black epaulettes, which have a golden crest and crown on them. In the background is the blue, red and silver Essex Police crest.
Ben-Julian Harrington said Gardiner's actions were "inexcusable"

Gardiner later admitted dangerous driving, drink-driving and failing to stop.

As part of his sentence on Monday, he was banned from getting behind the wheel for three years and ordered to pay a £1,630 surcharge.

Separately, Essex Police's misconduct panel found he breached six of its professional standards and banned him from returning to policing.

"Drink-driving and dangerous driving can have devastating consequences for road users and the wider community," Harrington said.

"For a serving officer to be found over the limit is inexcusable and when added to the wider circumstances there could be no future for him in policing."

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