PC Jarmila Kocanova, who served with Greater Manchester Police’s City of Manchester team, has been banned from driving for 29 months and handed a community order after pleading guilty to drink-driving at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court in June 2022.
Kocanova admitted that her actions amounted to gross misconduct. As a result, she was dismissed from the police force. Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson stated that her conviction was “incompatible with holding the role of a police officer.”
Despite expressing a heartfelt apology, Kocanova described herself as “disgusted with her behaviour,” and said she was “mortified and remorseful.” She offered apologies to Chief Constable Watson and the public.
However, Chief Constable Watson confirmed her dismissal, explaining: “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.”
He further added, “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.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
