Cop charged with drink driving after crash in police car to face hearing

A Sydney cop - whose name cannot be revealed for legal reasons - will face a court hearing later this year after he pleaded not guilty to crashing his NSW police-issued car.

A senior cop who had pleaded not guilty to crashing a work car while drunk will face a hearing later this year, however is in negotiations with prosecutors, a court was told.

Lawyers for the officer - whose name cannot be revealed under a 40-year suppression order - appeared before the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday morning.

The inspector is alleged to have crashed their unmarked car into a concrete barrier in Sydney’s NorthConnex tunnel in May 2023.

The unnamed officer will face a local court hearing in November. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard.

Prior to the crash, he was allegedly seen on CCTV drinking at least 13 beers and eight spirit drinks, a report released by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission found earlier this year.

He is alleged to have ditched the car in a nearby North Sydney street following the accident.

The watchdog’s report, released in July, found the officer - who can only be identified by the pseudonym AB - “deliberately left the scene” of the crash “to avoid being breath tested”.

He has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and high-range drink driving

The court was told the matter will be the subject of a local court hearing on November 22 and 25.

The officer will return to court on November 7 following the “outcome of negotiations”.

Originally published as Cop charged with drink driving after crash in police car to face hearing