Seven Northern Ireland police officers were convicted of drink driving last year, it was revealed today.
Up to 28 more may also be prosecuted for alcohol-related motoring offences, Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton confirmed. Officers have been warned that any caught heavily over the limit, resisting arrest or those involved in a road accident could be sacked or forced to resign under current guidelines.
Although he accepted the level of offending was not good news, Mr Leighton insisted it demonstrated officers did not receive special consideration. He said: "It does show we have treated police officers arrested for being drunk in charge the same as we would treat members of the public. "In other parts of the world it may not happen that way."
Mr Leighton disclosed the figures after being challenged at a meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board in Belfast. Some of those caught were of a rank higher than constable, the board was told. One has been dismissed, one granted a medical discharge, two had their pay reduced, another fined and two face misconduct panels for breaching the PSNI code of ethics.
Nine other officers are awaiting court appearances while files on another 19 have been sent to the Public Prosecution Service.
PA