Police sergeant keeps job despite hitting 131mph on A40

A panel found Thames Valley Police's Sergeant Gareth Clarke, who is based in Oxfordshire, had two passengers when he was driving a privately-owned at over 130mph on the A40 on May 31, 2023.

Exceeding the 70mph speed limit by at least 61mph, Mr Clarke placed himself, his passengers and potentially other road users 'at risk of serious injury or even death', the panel found. 

Mr Clarke, who has served for the force for 19 years, admitted that his conduct amounted to 'discreditable conduct', as well as that this breach amounted to misconduct. However, he did not accept that it amounts to gross misconduct.

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But the panel found him guilty of gross misconduct following the incident, which it said was a 'deliberate act' and 'solely his decision'.

Mr Clarke said that his actions were 'not reckless' given his training and that the passengers in the car 'were not put at risk' given his 'skill levels and the road situation at the time'.

The panel said it 'carefully' considered the documentation provided by the officer and a video of the journey provided by the AA.

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The panel ultimately disagreed with the officer and said that the speeds driven by him and the distance covered 'created a situation that was dangerous not only for him but also for his passengers in the car'.

The panel gave him a gave him a three-year final written warning and Mike Lattanzio, the panel's chairman, told him that he could have been sacked.

(Image: File) But it concluded that a number of factors, including his good service record and his full co-operation with TVP's investigation, meant that he did not need to be.

The panel said that as a leader within Thames Valley Police, Mr Clarke would be 'expected to know better and set an example to others', however he had showed 'clear and genuine regret' for his actions.

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"The panel took into consideration the officers good service record, the fact that he admitted his actions, and cooperated fully with the investigation and this hearing today in which he has demonstrated clear and genuine regret," the panel said.

"He should be under no illusion that through his actions he has caused reputational harm to TVP, however the panel hopes that he will now be in a better position to set a good example to colleagues in the future."

It added it hoped he will be in a "better position to set a good example to colleagues in the future".