Neil Wilby Media

Police Constable Sally Bird, an off-duty West Yorkshire Police officer who was involved in an incident whilst drink-driving, has been dismissed from the force.

She was more than twice the legal limit when crashing her mother’s car, a Skoda Roomster into a Vauxhall Insignia car, a wall and a kerb in January, 2022. She was also driving without insurance.

PC Bird was fined £289 and given a 12-month driving ban at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court earlier this year.

Following that conviction, a Misconduct Hearing held at Force HQ in Wakefield last month concluded she should be dismissed. A three member Panel heard she had a previous conviction for drink-driving and had been given a 20-month driving ban and a £100 fine. A report from the hearing said the standard of driving was “unacceptable”.

The Misconduct Outcome says:

“Any statement of PC Bird’s previously clean disciplinary record should be seen in the light of her criminal record for the same offence.

“The Misconduct Panel concluded that nothing less than dismissal would be sufficient.”
Following the decision, Det Ch Supt Nicola Bryar said West Yorkshire Police could provide support for employees with alcohol issues, but that PC Bird had “unfortunately” not asked for help.

“We regularly highlight the very real dangers and consequences of being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle,” she said.

“Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in this incident but it has resulted in this officer quite rightly losing her driving licence and now her job.”

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Page last updated: Tuesday 4th July, 2023 at 09h55

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