Police Officer Dismissed After Being Four Times Over Drink Drive Limit

Lauren Payne, a 26-year-old former police officer, was found to be nearly four times over the legal drink drive limit while on duty, leading to her dismissal from the Hampshire Constabulary. On January 17, she was discovered slumped in her police vehicle at Popham Services, with an almost empty bottle of gin nearby. Following a misconduct hearing, Payne was placed on the College of Policing's Barred List for five years and faced sentencing for her drink driving conviction on April 1. Chief Constable Scott Chilton highlighted the potential dangers of her actions, noting that it was only luck that no one was harmed during the incident. Payne, who had a history of alcoholism, pleaded guilty to the charges in court, where the prosecution emphasized the aggravating factors due to her position as a police officer. Her defense cited personal struggles, including substance abuse and stress, as contributing factors to her behavior during the incident.