B-test shame cop gets her job back

There was anger today after a detective forced to resign after admitting drink-driving was handed her job back by the Chief Constable.

DC Natalie Brennan (28) was arrested by colleagues from the Greater Manchester force after she drove through three counties to her Lancashire home.

They were called after she was reported by worried drivers who saw her on the M62 without lights, driving erratically, in October last year.

She had driven from West Yorkshire, through Greater Manchester, to her home in Rawtenstall. Officers had traced her address from her car number plate and met her at her home, where she was breathalysed.

She appeared at Burnley Magistrates Court in February, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, believed to be three times over the limit, and was fined £120, disqualified for a year and given £100 costs.

She then faced a disciplinary hearing and was forced to resign. But Chief Constable Peter Fahy reviewed her case and a week later she was back at Oldham Police Station as a detective.

Her case contrasts with that of a senior officer from Failsworth who resigned and took early retirement after being arrested for drink driving, three times over the limit.

A solicitor for Supt Paul Brookes (56) of Ashton Road told Manchester City Magistrates this month that he had retired rather than bring “shame and ignominy” on the force, at massive financial cost to himself.

An angry force employee said: “I am disgusted and embarrassed to be employed by Greater Manchester Police.

“What kind of message does this send out to members of the public, drink drivers convicted and punished and police officers forced to resign? I am disgusted.

“Driving that distance it is a miracle that no-one was injured or worst, killed.”

In a force statement, Chief Insp Jonathan Lowe, from the professional standards branch, said: “In all such reviews, each case is judged on its merits.

“In this case, the Chief Constable took full account of the officer’s personal circumstances and the circumstances surrounding the case itself, and made the decision to reinstate.”