Former PCSO barred from working for police following drink driving

A former Police Community Support Officer who was recently convicted of a driving offence whilst on duty, would have been immediately dismissed had he not already resigned, a hearing has concluded.

Neil Turnbull, who resigned from his role within Wiltshire Police in August, was sentenced in court on August 15th after he pleaded guilty to driving a police car under the influence of excess alcohol in Salisbury in March 2023.

Officers identified this, and he was immediately suspended from the force and appeared in court in August, where he was disqualified from driving for a period of 12 months.

Once the criminal proceedings had taken place, a gross misconduct investigation resumed, and a hearing was held this week which concluded that Mr Turnbull’s actions amounted to gross misconduct and had he not resigned, he would have been immediately dismissed.

Mr Turnbull will now be added to the College of Policing Barred Advisory List.

Detective Inspector Adam Leakey said: “Clearly, the actions of Mr Turnbull fly in the face of the standards the public rightly expect from us.

“As a direct result of his actions, he could have posed a significant risk to the public, his colleagues and himself.

“A gross misconduct investigation has now taken place which confirmed Mr Turnbull’s actions amounted to gross misconduct and he has been added to the College Barred List, which means he will never be able to pursue a career in policing again.”