PC FACING ACTION OVER DRUG POSSESSION

A police constable is facing disciplinary action after being convicted of
possessing cannabis.

Cambridgeshire PC Rebecca Waldock, 28, was given a 12-month conditional
discharge and told to pay UKP765 costs at Luton Crown Court last week
after admitting possessing 17.5g of cannabis resin.

Last night a police spokesman said senior officers had ruled that Waldock
would remain suspended until they had decided on appropriate disciplinary
action.

Waldock, of March, argued that under the provisions of the Human Rights Act
she had been discriminated against because she had been charged with
possession and not cautioned, like most first time offenders.

But she changed her plea to guilty after a judge ruled that a caution would
have been a private sanction and the public had aright to know if officers
consumed cannabis.

The court was told that Waldock had used cannabis at university and
supported its legalisation. She had paid UKP45 for the drug.

She told police she used it after becoming stressed at work.