A POLICE officer who blew more than double the alcohol limit before an early shift has been accused of gross misconduct.

It is alleged that on May 5 last year the Thames Valley Police officer arrived for work at a police station at 7am.

An hour later, at 8.28am, they were asked to do a breath test and blew a reading of 31mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

Another test at 8.52am recorded 28mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

The legal drink-drive limit is 35mcg.

As part of the Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Misuse Testing Policy in force at the time, the limit for officers on duty was 13mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

The officer blew more than double the limit both times, which breaches the Fitness for Duty and Orders and Instructions part of the Standards of Professional Behaviour that officers sign up to when they join the police.

The allegations are so serious that if they are proven, at a misconduct hearing on March 8 and 9, then the officer would be guilty of gross misconduct and will be fired on the spot.

The hearing will be heard in private, away from the public and the press, because of the ‘sensitive and confidential nature’ of the evidence that will be heard including medical files and welfare concerns.