BBC NEWS
Road ban for thumbs-up policeman
The behaviour of a police driver who gave a thumbs up sign as he tore past speed cameras will not be tolerated, South Yorkshire Police has said.
Officer David Mayes, 34, took his hands off the wheel and made the gesture twice on 999 calls in Sheffield.
He was banned from driving for six months by Halifax Magistrates' Court and fined £400 after admitting driving without due care and attention.
In December chief constable Meredydd Hughes was banned for speeding.
Hughes was caught driving at 90mph along a 60mph zone and was disqualified for 42 days and fined £350 by magistrates in Wrexham.
Misconduct proceedings
Mayes was prosecuted for the offences, which took place in the early hours of the morning on 26 July 2007.
Magistrates heard how he passed the camera at speeds of 68mph and 73mph in the 40mph zone on Halifax Road in Grenoside, Sheffield.
He has already been suspended from front-line duties and now faces misconduct proceedings.
A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "His conduct fell well below what we and the public expect of our officers and he now faces misconduct proceedings.
"This type of behaviour will not be tolerated. We have taken a robust stance which has ended with a prosecution and a court appearance."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/7222109.stmPublished: 2008/02/01 13:06:33 GMT
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