A BARNSLEY police officer who was clocked driving at 107mph in a 60mph zone which landed him a driving ban has not been sacked by South Yorkshire Police - and he’ll still be able to drive police vehicles.
PC Luke Meakin, who was based in Penistone, was caught speeding on May 21 last year.
On December 18 he appeared via video link at North Yorkshire Magistrates’ Court to plead guilty - and he was disqualified from driving at the same court on January 15.
PC Meakin was the subject of an accelerated misconduct hearing at the Professional Standards Department in Sheffield on May 2, following a breach of behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct.
The force said that the breach of standards was serious enough to justify dismissal and gross misconduct - but instead he was handed a final written warning.
He attended the hearing and representations were made by his federation representative.
A report said: “Having heard from the appropriate authority, PC Meakin changed his position and admitted that the conduct amounted to gross misconduct.
“On the basis of the incontrovertible evidence - PC Meakin’s guilty plea and his disqualification from driving - along with his admission of gross misconduct, the conduct breached the standards of behaviour and amounted to gross misconduct.
“In assessing seriousness I have to consider PC Meakin’s culpability, the harm caused and any aggravating and mitigating factors.
“There is the clear potential for reputational harm.
“In my view it would seriously undermine public confidence if it became known that PC Meakin had driven at such an excessive speed and been disqualified from driving.
“This is particularly so given the high number of fatal road traffic collisions where excess speed is a causal factor.”
At the meeting, PC Meakin put forward a number of ‘mitigating factors’ in relation to his future at the force.
They included admitting his wrongdoing at the earlier opportunity, submitting a guilty plea, showing genuine remorse and acknowledging the impact of his actions.
After concluding that his actions amounted to gross misconduct, the force could either issue PC Meakin a final written warning, reduce his rank or dismiss him without notice.
It was decided that a final written warning would be issued - and that he would still be able to drive police vehicles despite driving 47mph over the speed limit.
The report added: “I bear in mind that the misconduct of a single officer can tarnish the reputation of a force and the service as a whole and undermine the trust and confidence that members of the public have in South Yorkshire Police, and I bear in mind that should the public feel that improper behaviour on the part of police officers is left unchecked and they are not held accountable for it in a suitable manner, then public confidence in the police, and South Yorkshire Police in particular, will be eroded.
“I was pleased to hear PC Meakin’s acknowledgement and understanding of the severity of his conduct; such insight and openness is key to learning from our mistakes and ensuring that they are not repeated.
“It is clear that PC Meakin is genuinely remorseful for his conduct and has reflected on his conduct and its potential impact on the force, and the community that we serve.
“He has demonstrated his commitment to policing from an early age, from being a police cadet to becoming a serving officer and now tutoring student officers.
“In the circumstances, I feel the appropriate sanction is a final written warning to remain in force for five.
“I do not intend to revoke your blue light driving permit, but I am going to direct that you must be reassessed as to the standard of your driving, and I also remind you that should you receive so much as a parking ticket you must report that without delay to the force vetting unit.”
