South Yorkshire Police officer accused of being unfit for duty after positive alcohol reading to face hearing
A South Yorkshire Police officer is set to face a misconduct hearing this month, over allegations he was unfit for duty after attending a police centre and providing a positive alcohol reading.
The allegations have been made against Police Sergeant Jonathan Sorsby, whose misconduct hearing is due to take place between January 19 - 21, 2026.
Announcing the proceedings, a South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “On 1st May 2024, in Wakefield, the officer was unfit for duty when attending a Police Centre and provided a reading of 23mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath when subjected to a breathalyser test.
“This is a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of Discreditable Conduct and Fitness for Work.
“The matter set out above is a breach of the Standards which is so serious as to justify dismissal and therefore constitutes gross misconduct.”
The legal alcohol limit for driving in England is 35 micrograms (mg) per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath.
South Yorkshire Police’s guidance on misconduct hearings state they should be heard by a panel of three people, and should be chaired by an independent legally qualified person chosen from a pool held by the local policing body.
The other panel members should be an “officer of at least the rank of Superintendent and an independent lay person, selected from an approved list held by the local policing body.”