Former PC Adam Gardiner drove erratically across lanes while on duty
He reversed a force vehicle into a Devon and Cornwall Police car
Gardiner then accelerated away and reached speeds of more than 110mph
Chief Constable ruled he would have been dismissed without notice
An Essex Police officer was more than three times over the drink-drive limit when he fled police at speeds exceeding 110mph, reversed into a patrol car and crashed into a motorway barrier.
Former PC Adam Gardiner had travelled to Devon and Cornwall in an Essex Police vehicle to attend a force-funded course in November 2025.
But he failed to attend the course or tell his sergeant why he was absent.
On November 21, police began receiving alarming reports that the Essex Police vehicle was swerving between lanes, almost colliding with other motorists and failing to maintain a steady speed.
Devon and Cornwall officers witnessed the driving and attempted to stop Gardiner—but he refused to pull over.
In a dramatic confrontation on the hard shoulder, Gardiner reversed the Essex Police vehicle into a Devon and Cornwall Police car.
He then sped away, reaching more than 110mph before steering across three lanes and smashing into an Armco barrier.
Gardiner was identified as the driver and arrested.
Breath tests produced readings of 114 and 115 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.
Gardiner later admitted that he was on duty, had driven the vehicle in the manner alleged and was over the alcohol limit.
Body-worn video captured both his driving and the moment he reversed into the police vehicle.
Chief Constable BJ Harrington found six professional standards proven, including Fitness for Duty, Discreditable Conduct and Use of Force.
Explaining the unusual Use of Force finding, the Chief Constable said Gardiner reversing into the police car was an “unnecessary use of force” that placed other people—and Gardiner himself—at risk.
The Chief Constable described Gardiner as “fully culpable” and warned that his actions could have caused serious harm to motorists and the officers attempting to stop him.
Gardiner, who had resigned before the accelerated misconduct hearing and did not attend, apologised to the Devon and Cornwall officers at the scene.
His behaviour was found proven as gross misconduct.
The Chief Constable concluded that the only appropriate outcome was dismissal without notice had Gardiner still been serving.
Gardiner was also placed on the College of Policing barred list.
