The former firearms officer faced a misconduct panel after showing up for work unfit for duty after drinking
A former Cambridgeshire police officer faced a misconduct hearing accused of driving to work while over the legal limit for alcohol and attempting to sign out a firearm. PC Daniel Colbert was found to have breached the standard of discreditable conduct and fitness for duty to the level of gross misconduct.
The former officer, who joined Cambridgeshire Constabulary in March 2018, faced two allegations. These were that on July 20, 2024, between 6am and 7am, he allegedly drove to work while over the legal limit.
It was alleged that Colbert, a firearms officer at the time, reported for duty at 7am, at which point PS Trippett smelt alcohol on him. Aware that the former officer had just driven into work, PS Trippett suspected that he may have driven while over the legal limit and requested a specimen of breath.
According to the public notice for the hearing, former PC Colbert, who resigned while under investigation, provided an initial reading of 40ugs per 100 ml of breath (which is over the drink drive limit). He was subsequently arrested and taken to Kempston custody to provide an evidential sample.
There he was tested and provided evidential readings of 21ugs and 20ugs per 100 ml. As those readings were under the legal limit for drink-driving, no further action was taken on the criminal offence and former PC Colbert was released from custody.
Having considered all of the submissions regarding the case, the panel found that each of the factual allegations against the officer had been proved. It found that the former officer breached the standard of discreditable conduct and the standards of fitness for duty.
The outcome of the officer’s misconduct hearing concluded that had the former PC Colbert not resigned from the police force, he would have been dismissed without notice.
Chief Constable Simon Megicks said: “It is concerning that an officer chose to drive to work over the legal limit and then present himself for duty.
“This behaviour fell below the standards expected and had the potential to place others at risk. Such actions risk undermining public confidence in the police service.”


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