A DISGRACED former police officer will face a gross misconduct hearing which could result in him being barred from working for any force across the country.

PC Simon Hopper quit Durham Constabulary after he was banned from the roads for 26 months when he appeared before Teesside Magistrates’ Court last month.

He was arrested on January 3 after he was stopped driving along the A19 near Middlesbrough in a Toyota Verso.

A breathalyser reading showed he had 111 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, which exceeded the prescribed limit which is 35 micrograms.

The officer, who worked in Darlington, was suspended from duty and was set to face a disciplinary hearing before resigning from his post.

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However, the hearing will still go ahead on March 8 when a disciplinary panel could establish whether a finding can be made to place him on the College of Policing’s barred list.

Hopper was also fined £1,170 after pleading guilty to the offence when he appeared in court.

Speaking after the court case, Superintendent Dave Cuthbert, head of Durham Constabulary’s Professional Standards Department, said the force and the public will not tolerate drink driving committed by anyone.

He said: “This officer was suspended while an investigation was carried out and will face an accelerated gross misconduct hearing.

“The public and Durham Constabulary quite rightly expect the highest professional standards from our officers and staff at all times, and the actions of this officer fell terribly short of those standards.

“Driving while under the influence is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

The disciplinary hearins is open to the public but you must pre-register before March 8. Visit the force website for further details.

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