GMP officer sacked after admitting drink-driving offence

A Greater Manchester Police officer has been dismissed by the force at a disciplinary hearing following a conviction for drink-driving.

PC Jarmila Kocanova, who worked in GMP’s City of Manchester district, pleaded guilty at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court in June 2022 and was handed sanctions including a community order and a 29-month driving ban.

Kocanova admitted her behaviour amounted to gross misconduct with GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson saying her ‘conviction was incompatible with holding the role of a police officer’.

Kocanova said she was ‘disgusted with her behaviour’, and was ‘mortified and remorseful’, and apologised to CC Watson and to the public.

In dismissing Kocanova, CC Watson said: “PC Kocanova did commit to a fulsome apology for her actions, which was genuine and heartfelt.

“However, the principal objective of these proceedings must be to preserve public confidence in the police and the appropriate sanction in this case is dismissal without notice”

“I fully accept the officer’s expressions of remorse and her approach to these matters has been open, and she has accepted personal responsibility for her actions.

“The circumstances reflect the waste of great potential in respect of a promising, young officer.”