Officer dismissed without notice after refusing to take breath test
A serving British Transport Police (BTP) officer who failed to take a breath test after being stopped on suspicion of drink-driving has been dismissed without notice following an accelerated misconduct hearing.
Police Constable Luke Field, based in Birmingham, was stopped by officers after driving the wrong way down a one-way street in June this year while off duty.
A breath sample taken at the scene indicated that he was over the legal limit for alcohol when driving and he was arrested.
At the police station PC Field failed to provide an evidential sample for analysis, without reasonable excuse, as required under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
On October 11 he appeared at Worcestershire Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis.
At a misconduct hearing earlier this week, PC Field answered allegations that he breached the standards of professional behaviour, namely discreditable conduct.
BTP’s Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi found that PC Field’s actions amounted to gross misconduct, and he has been dismissed from the force with immediate effect.
Ms D’Orsi said: “Any conviction of a police officer is a serious matter that undermines confidence in policing. Policing is entrusted to uphold the law and this trust is diminished when police officers break the law.
“Drink-driving is a serious offence and is aggravated by failing to provide a specimen of breath when required.
“The risk of harm which may have been caused to the public, and PC Field himself, was significant.
“PC Field’s conduct amounts to gross misconduct. As a result, I have dismissed him from service with immediate effect.”