A FORMER Essex Police officer has been found to have committed gross misconduct after she was convicted of drink driving. 

Former PC Cockrell was stopped in her personal vehicle while off-duty in August 2023. She provided a sample of breath which showed a measure well in excess of the drink-drive limit. 

She was subsequently convicted of drink driving. 

An accelerated misconduct hearing chaired by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington was held on 9 November 2023, and found ex-PC Cockrell had breached standards in discreditable conduct.

The Chief Constable found Former PC Cockrell would have been dismissed had she still been a serving officer.

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: "We expect the highest of standards from our officers both whilst on duty and whilst they are off duty. In this case, ex-PC Cockrell's actions fell far below expectations.

"We take offences of drink driving extremely seriously, and this former officer's actions seriously undermined the work done across Essex to make our roads safer.  

"The public and colleagues in Essex Police rightly expect everyone in Essex Police to behave safely and responsibly.

"As a force, we work very hard to ensure that officers and staff know what's expected of them. 

"I believe that work is paying off. This arrest was carried out by Essex Police officers, and ex-PC Cockrell was treated as we would treat any other member of the public.

"It's the efforts of those officers that carries on our work to build the trust of the public we police with the permission of."