Police officer sacked after drugs found in his car

A police officer has been sacked for gross misconduct after illegal drugs were found in his car.

Bradford-based PC Mark Price was suspended from West Yorkshire Police after being arrested on 8 March 2021 when police found a bag of brown powder, some white powder and a bag of pink pills in his car during a search.

In October last year, he was found guilty of possession of Class A and Class B drugs and fined £500 and ordered to pay £300 costs together with a £50 victim surcharge.

At a gross misconduct hearing on Tuesday, he was dismissed from the force and placed on the College of Policing's barred list after being found to have breached standards of professional behaviour.

Following the hearing, Det Ch Supt Tanya Wilkins, head of West Yorkshire Police's professional standards directorate, said: "This officer was convicted at court of drug possession offences.

"We make it clear to all our officers and staff that the use of illegal drugs is ethically incompatible with the public expectations of the police service.

"As an organisation, we can provide support for employees who recognise they have a substance abuse problem and come forward for support, but that was not the case with this officer.

"He has now been dismissed from West Yorkshire Police and will be added to the College of Policing's Barred List preventing him from gaining any further employment in policing."

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