Former PC Would Have Been Dismissed for Drink-Driving, Panel Rules

A panel concluded that a former police officer, who admitted to drink-driving while off-duty, committed gross misconduct and would have been dismissed from service had she still been employed. Tamsin Raines, previously a police constable with Norfolk Police, was prohibited from driving after operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. The 51-year-old, residing in King’s Lynn, entered a guilty plea to the charge at Great Yarmouth Magistrates’ Court on 11 September, having retired from the force nine days earlier. An accelerated misconduct hearing determined that if the former officer had remained a serving member, then “she would have been dismissed.” Raines was stopped by on-duty police officers at approximately 22:15 BST on 20 July during a routine traffic stop in Wereham while driving her personal car. After failing a roadside breathalyser test, she was transported to King’s Lynn Police Investigation Centre, where she provided a blood sample for analysis. The results indicated Raines had 119mgs of alcohol per 100ml in her blood, surpassing the legal limit of 80mgs per 100ml of blood. Following her guilty plea to a drink-driving charge, she received a 14-month driving disqualification, a £120 fine, and was ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £48 victim surcharge. Deputy Chief Constable Simon Megicks stated: “When people commit a drink-driving offence they are putting other people at risk, as well as themselves.” He continued: “The public have the right to expect the police service will not tolerate its officers committing criminal acts.” Megicks added: “Where such conduct is found we will take action.”