Birmingham police officer sacked for 'probable cannabis use'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-33729820

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A police officer has been dismissed without notice after a public misconduct hearing found it "probable" he smoked cannabis on duty.

Kirk Van Niekerk, 32, from Birmingham, smelt of the drug whilst on duty on 18 November and tests found cannabis in his system, a panel heard .

He neither admitted nor denied the allegation of smoking the drug on duty.

West Midlands Police said he breached the standards expected of him, amounting to gross misconduct.

He was also found likely to have lied in the professional standards investigation that followed the allegations.

The public misconduct hearing, in Moseley, had drawn criticism for the force making tickets available on an events website.

Laws introduced on 1 May require police disciplinary hearings to be held in public to make them more transparent.

Ch Insp Darren Walsh from the force said: "This officer put the public's safety at risk by being under the influence while at work and as such, it is right his actions were brought to light and that he has been held accountable for his behaviour."