Hero footballer-turned-police officer sacked for drug abuse
A police officer who was part of one of the biggest upsets in Scottish sporting history has been dismissed from the service after testing positive for cocaine.
A police officer who was part of one of the biggest upsets in Scottish sporting history has been dismissed from the service after testing positive for cocaine.
A misconduct hearing was told how Police Constable Julian Broddle literally went from `hero to zero` following a random drug and alcohol test in March.
Before joining the police ranks, PC Broddle had enjoyed a successful career as a footballer gracing some of UK`s finest stadiums.
In 1994 at the Ibrox in Glasgow, he reached the pinnacle of his sporting achievements as a member of the Raith Rovers side that lifted the Scottish League Cup in a shock 6-5 penalties victory over their illustrious opponents, Celtic, after the teams finished 2-2 in extra time.
PC Broddle, who also made more than 200 league appearances for Sheffield United, Scunthorpe and Barnsley in his football guise, joined the service 18 years ago.
The medals kept coming after he joined the police as he was twice awarded for bravery, once for facing down a shotgun-wielding gang of masked bank robbers and then for saving a girl from drowning.
Fast forward to this week as South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson told the misconduct hearing that PC Broddle`s previous good service as an officer over that timescale merely highlighted “the folly of his actions”.
Detective Chief Inspector Deb Mahmood said PC Broddle`s test, which included a urine sample, showed irrefutable evidence of cocaine use within the past few days.
Det Chief Insp Deb Mahmood added: “This is suggestive of being a regular user of cocaine. Evidence of telephone message conversations between himself and her partner also support the fact he was a regular abuser of cocaine.
“Throughout the interview, he continued to deny the allegations.”
Representing PC Broddle who did not attend the hearing because he was embarrassed by his current situation was Sergeant John Fox, from the South Yorkshire Police Federation.
He said: “I take this opportunity to apologise on his behalf to you personally, to South Yorkshire Police and his colleagues for any embarrassment his conduct has caused.
“PC Broddle accepts he has let down and embarrassed South Yorkshire Police, his colleagues and himself.”
Mr Watson said the severity of the breach gave the force no option but to dismiss PC Broddle with immediate effect.
He added: While he has let himself and the force down, most importantly he has let the public down in failing to adhere to the standards expected of a police officer.”
Footnote
PC Broddle came to Scotland after spells in the English lower leagues to sign for St Mirren, before joining Jimmy Nicolls Raith Rovers in 1993.
The full-back played more than 70 times, including in the victory in the League Cup final on November 27, 1994 and both legs of their subsequent UEFA Cup tie against Bayern Munich.
He stayed in Kirkcaldy for three seasons and retired from football in 1997 after spells at East Fife and Ross County before retiring in 1997.