Detective sacked by force after drink-drive conviction
A detective has been sacked after he was caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
DC Vincent Cope, who was based in Sandwell, pleaded guilty to the offence at court and was convicted on July 12.
Mr Cope, a police officer for 23 years, was dismissed after he appeared before a misconduct hearing. The tribunal, chaired by West Midlands Police chief constable Dave Thompson, heard Mr Cope’s actions put the public in danger.
Mr Thompson said: “For an officer to be drinking and driving is serious and this incident put the public at risk.”
This factor swayed Mr Thompson’s final decision in dismissing Mr Cope, despite the tribunal hearing he had received good character references from his supervisors.
He had also suffered health issues and difficult personal circumstances, it was said.
The tribunal heard Mr Cope had drunk the day before he was caught by police colleagues. He believed this factor pushed his alcohol levels over the legal threshold.
Dave Hadley, Mr Cope’s Police Federation representative, told the tribunal: “He believes the alcohol he had consumed topped him up from the previous day. He is ashamed of his actions and he wants to apologise to you all, to his family and friends. He wants a second chance.”
But, although Mr Thompson acknowledged Mr Cope’s long service, he said the offence was too serious not to act and put West Midlands Police’s reputation at risk.
The offence Mr Cope was convicted of was breaching section five of the road traffic act 1988.
Mr Thompson added: “I believe the public’s confidence in police will be harmed if you are able to continue serving. You will be dismissed without notice.”
