A Bay of Plenty police officer has been sentenced for drink-driving and careless driving while on-duty.
The 38-year-old admitted two driving offences in the Whakatāne District on Tuesday following an incident in Edgecumbe in April, Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor said.
The charges followed a single-vehicle crash involving a police vehicle at the corner of Otakiri Rd and Main St, Edgecumbe, on April 6, McGregor said in a statement.
The officer pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving, and one count of driving with excess breath alcohol.
He was convicted and sentenced to six months’ disqualification, a $1000 fine and $2013 in reparation.
The officer was the only person in the police car and was on-duty at the time, but was not injured in the crash.
“The public rightly expects high standards from police staff.
“We set high professional standards for ourselves and demand integrity from our staff, in terms of judgement, choices and actions.
“The vast majority of our staff act in accordance with police’s values,” McGregor said.
The man is currently stood down and as police have initiated an employment process.
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