POLICE have refused to say whether or not an officer who was found more than twice over the drink drive limit will lose his job.
Stephen Patrick Saunders, of Roman Way in Alcester, was convicted of driving with excess alcohol following a trial at Leamington Magistrates’ Court on Friday (January 30).
The 51-year-old was further charged with two counts of common assault but the case was dropped due to the prosecution offering no evidence.
The sergeant, who worked for Bromsgrove Safer Neighbourhood Team at the time of the offence, blew 79 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath on September 22 last year following an incident in the town.
He was arrested and charged the following day and denied the offences when he appeared at a preliminary hearing in October.
Saunders was suspended from his duties following the incident but was allowed to return to West Mercia Police on restricted duties.
His conviction comes just weeks after a Christmas drink drive campaign where the force warned of the ‘devastating consequences’ of getting behind the wheel while over the limit.
He was fined £790 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £79, £600 court costs and was banned from driving for 18 months.
A West Mercia Police spokesman said the force expected the highest levels of behaviour from all their officers and staff.
He said: “Mr Saunders has faced the consequences of his actions today and will now face an internal disciplinary process.
“We cannot speculate on the outcome of that as there are a range of sanctions that could be applied.”
