West Yorkshire Police officer sacked after drink-drive crash

An off-duty police officer who crashed into a wall and another car while drink-driving has been dismissed.PC Sally Bird, of West Yorkshire Police, was more than twice the legal limit when she crashed her mother's Skoda Roomster into a wall, a Vauxhall Insignia and a kerb in January last year.

She was also driving without insurance.

Bird was fined and given a 12-month driving ban at Sheffield Magistrates' Court. Following the conviction, a misconduct hearing in Wakefield concluded she should be dismissed.

A report on the hearing said the standard of driving was "unacceptable".

The hearing was told she had a previous conviction for drink-driving and had been given a 20-month driving ban and a £100 fine.The West Yorkshire Police report said: "Any statement of PC Bird’s previously clean disciplinary record should be seen in the light of her criminal record for the same offence.

"The misconduct panel concluded that nothing less than dismissal would be sufficient."Following the decision, Det Ch Supt Nicola Bryar said West Yorkshire Police could provide support for employees with alcohol issues, but that PC Bird had "unfortunately" not asked for help.

"We regularly highlight the very real dangers and consequences of being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle," she said.

"Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in this incident but it has resulted in this officer quite rightly losing her driving licence and now her job."

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.