If you are a police officer and drink and drive off duty?

Question

What would happen to your career?

Answer 1

if you get caught and it your buddy you get off, if its a cop who does his job properly you will be arrested like anyone else

Answer 2

if you were in brass, you will get demoted-sent back on patrol if you were on a specialized unit. serious reprimands. if its small dept. they can even send you on permanent suspension w/o pay

Answer 3

In my dept it would be over.

Last year we had two officers fired because they got DUIs. As a result of their DUIs they lost their DLs. Being unable to drive they could not function as LEOs.

That said some depts will allow officers ont heir 1st DUI offense to ride a desk with a heft suspension.

Answer 4

you could end up in AA meetings or be put paid leave

or if you casused an accident and someone got killed

you will lose your job

Answer 5

Well, you would get arrested and your career could be over.  A police officer isn't supposed to get any special treatment and are often treated more harshly than non LE when they get caught committing a crime.

You would certainly be moved to a non-driving position and would likely be subject to disciplinary action which could be written warnings or termination.

First offense, you are likely to get a very strong reprimand.  Second offense, you will probably be terminated.

Answer 6

It would have a serious impact on your career.

First off, it's committing a criminal offence, and as such you should be prosecuted for such.  Being convicted of that offence would have consequences on your security clearance as well as your ability to perform your job (in Canada, most impaired driving convictions come with a driving suspension, making it hard to patrol, etc)

However, for myself, I find the biggest problem with this is the loss of trust in the persons you serve.  Police officers authority is granted by the persons they serve, and the trust that the public puts in police officers should be rewarded by the officers living to a higher standard and leading by example.

Answer 7

Human nature being what it is even cops will drink and drive on occasion, but if they get caught the payback is no different than anyone else; maybe worse because after the courts hammer them their department will also meter out punishment.  Being a cop means having to pay a higher price for crossing the line.

Answer 8

It would be over. Can't be a policeman and commit felonies. You'd lose your job and your pension.

Answer 9

Here: you're done.