Drunk and disorderly police officer reinstated

A police officer sacked after admitting being drunk and disorderly in public has been allowed to return to work.

Det Sgt Gareth Snoad was dismissed from Wiltshire Police in April 2025, after he was arrested in Liverpool following an incident while he was off duty.

His behaviour described was "simply not acceptable" and he pleaded guilty ahead of an appearance at Merseyside Magistrates Court.

A police appeals tribunal has now found that the decision to dismiss Snoad - who had an "unblemished" service record until the incident - should be "substituted" with a reduction in rank.

Wiltshire Police said in a statement: "We accept the finding of the appeal and will now work with Det Con Snoad to reintegrate him into the organisation."

A gross misconduct hearing had previously decided the officer had breached standards of professional behaviour in the Liverpool incident, which took place at Eric's Bar on Matthew Street.

An appeal was held with a tribunal held in January.

Wiltshire Police's ruling included a statement from Det Con Snoad which stated: "I have let down my service, the public and most of all my family.

"All I can say is that the unblemished service I had given prior to this shameful incident is what you will see from me in the future.

"I make no presumption about how this will be decided on but commit to give the very best service I can, in whatever way I can for as long as I can."

The tribunal decided: "Having assessed seriousness as medium the tribunal felt that reduction in rank was the most appropriate outcome, marking the fact of the criminal conviction."

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