Tarnów municipal guard suspended after CCTV reportedly shows drunk driving; faces dismissal

Night dispute leads to drink-driving probe

• A Tarnów municipal guard was suspended after a night-time domestic dispute led to suspicions he had driven drunk.
• CCTV footage reportedly confirmed the suspicions, and the case was passed to the prosecutor's office.
• Police denied media reports that the guard tried to run over his partner.
• If evidence supports formal charges, he will be dismissed under the administrative procedure already started.

Police were called to a housing estate in Tarnów during the night of October 4 to 5 over a dispute between partners. One of the people involved was an officer from the Municipal Police Headquarters in Tarnów. During the intervention, officers began to suspect he had been driving a car after drinking alcohol (Awantura i pijany policjant za kierownicą. Funkcjonariusz może stracić pracę – Tarnów Radio ESKA) (Stanowisko Komendy Miejskiej Policji w Tarnowie – KMP w Tarnowie).

Footage used to verify suspicions

After reviewing security camera recordings, investigators reportedly confirmed that the officer had driven while intoxicated (Nocna awantura z udziałem policjanta w Tarnowie. W tle alkohol. Funkcjonariusz może wylecieć z pracy - Tarnów, Super Express – se.pl). Local media reported that the material was secured as evidence (Policjant z Tarnowa zawieszony w służbie! Monitoring potwierdził jazdę pod wpływem alkoholu. Grozi mu wydalenie z policji – tarnowska.tv). The reports did not include the result of any breathalyser or blood test.

Suspension and disciplinary action

The officer has been suspended from official duties, and the headquarters has opened disciplinary proceedings against him. Police said that if the evidence supports formal charges, he will be dismissed from the service under the administrative procedure already started. The case has also been passed to the prosecutor's office.

Police deny reports of attempted run-over

The Municipal Police Headquarters rejected press reports that the officer tried to run over his partner. Police confirmed, however, that the incident itself took place and that the officer was one of the parties to the quarrel.

Possible consequences

The officer faces the loss of his job. Whether charges will be brought depends on the evidence gathered in the disciplinary and administrative procedures.