A Metropolitan Police officer has been handed a five-year final written warning after being found drunk and disorderly in public while wearing only his underwear. The incident, which took place on October 8, 2023, led to a misconduct hearing where PC Christopher Garraway-Driscoll admitted he had been “no longer in control” of his behavior due to excessive drinking.
Drunken Incident and Disorderly Conduct
While off-duty, PC Garraway-Driscoll was found heavily intoxicated in a public area, wearing only his underwear, and behaving in a “disorderly manner.” Witnesses reported that he was “repeatedly swearing and shouting” in the early hours of the morning, causing significant disruption.
According to the misconduct panel, “significant police resources had to be spent” ensuring his safe return to the bed and breakfast where he was staying. During this process, PC Garraway-Driscoll also “behaved abusively towards the police officers” who were helping him and acted “discourteously” towards the B&B owners upon arrival.
Misconduct Hearing Findings
In the hearing, PC Garraway-Driscoll accepted that his actions amounted to misconduct, though he denied that it rose to the level of gross misconduct. He suggested that a concussion might have contributed to his behavior, but the panel found no verifiable evidence to support this claim. They concluded that his behavior was solely due to his decision to “consume alcohol to excess”.
The panel stated:
“The officer’s actions were unacceptable and placed members of the public, as well as responding officers, in difficult and potentially unsafe situations.”
Despite the seriousness of the incident, the panel opted not to dismiss PC Garraway-Driscoll. They cited his previous good character, noting that he was regarded as a “productive, effective, and hard-working police officer”. They also considered personal stressors in his private life as a mitigating factor and acknowledged his remorse and early acceptance of responsibility.
Final Warning and Consequences
The misconduct panel ultimately issued a five-year final written warning for gross misconduct. They emphasized that while this was a single incident, it “brought discredit to the force” and harmed public trust.
In their ruling, they added:
“We believe the sanction reflects the seriousness of the misconduct while allowing the officer the opportunity to demonstrate his continued value to the force.”
Public and Internal Reactions
The decision to retain PC Garraway-Driscoll has sparked mixed reactions within the community and among fellow officers. Some have expressed concern over the leniency of the punishment, citing the need for high standards in public service, especially within law enforcement.
However, supporters point to his previously unblemished record and the acknowledgment of personal difficulties that may have contributed to the incident.
Met Police Statement
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson commented:
“We expect the highest standards from our officers at all times, both on and off duty. We acknowledge the panel’s decision and will ensure the officer complies with the terms of the final written warning.”
