Police officer sacked after drink driving

A SERVING Staffordshire Police officer has been sacked for ‘gross misconduct’ after being caught drink-driving.

PC Zoe Cullen’s career is over following a disciplinary hearing over her criminal conviction.

Magistrates heard the 45-year-old, off-duty at the time, was pulled over in Leek on January 6.

Cullen, a member of Hanley policing team, gave a reading of 59 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – against the legal limit of 35.

At a Special Case Hearing last week, in front of Chief Constable Gareth Morgan, there was a finding of gross misconduct and she was dismissed with immediate effect.

The Chief Constable has now condemned his colleague’s actions.

He said: “Officers and staff are held to a high standard which the public rightfully expect. It is clear this officer has fallen below the standard expected and the circumstances warranted her dismissal with immediate effect.”

Cullen had originally denied a charge of driving above the prescribed alcohol limit when she appeared at Derby Magistrates Court back on May 14.

But she dramatically changed her plea when she was put back in the dock on August 9.

The defendant was banned from the roads for 12 months and ordered to pay £1,100 in fines and costs.

Cullen was suspended from duty while proceedings took place.