Drink drive cop 'embarrassed' by actions

Detective Sergeant John Gualter was fined and disqualified from driving after being caught 2.5 times over the limit. Photo / NZPA

A senior cop convicted of driving drunk says he is embarrassed by his actions but hopes to keep his job as an instructor at the Porirua Police College.

Detective Sergeant John Gualter, 42, last Friday pleaded guilty to drink and dangerous driving charges.

In Porirua District Court today, through lawyer Mike Antunovic, he unsuccessfully sought a discharge without conviction, which would have required him to prove the impact of a conviction would outweigh the seriousness of his offending.

Gualter was more than 2-1/2 times the legal limit when police pulled him over in Linden, north Wellington, in November last year.

Members of the public had seen his car weaving across three lanes of State Highway 1, mounting pavements and driving on the wrong side of the road, narrowly missing other cars.

Mr Antunovic told the court Gualter had been drinking after a tough week in which his wife informed him their marriage of 10 years was over and his dog was put down.

He said a conviction would "in all probability" be the end of his career.

"Realistically Detective Sergeant Gualter is no more, is finished," Mr Antunovic said.

Gualter had served the police for 23 years with an unblemished record.

"What a tragic and senseless waste of nearly a quarter of a century of experience... because of one, human mistake," Mr Antunovic said.

He said Gualter hoped to stay with the police and a discharge without conviction could open the door for him to take a role as a non-sworn officer -- which would enable him to remain eligible for superannuation.

Prosecutor Mark Wilton said aggravating factors included the high breath alcohol level of 1039mg/litre of breath and what Gualter had admitted was disgraceful driving on a public road.

He said as Gualter had already admitted the offending he was guilty of serious misconduct under the Police Code of Conduct and a discharge would not necessarily mean his job was safe.

Judge June Johnston denied the request for discharge without conviction, agreeing with Mr Wilton that it was the admission of guilt which was critical.

"In my view the police will be in a better position to assess your ongoing employment than this court."

Gualter was convicted, fined a total of $1800 plus $260 court costs and disqualified from driving for nine months on each charge.

Outside the court Gualter acknowledged he had done "a terrible thing".

"This is just the consequence of those actions."

He said he was very embarrassed and "nobody will be harder on me than me".

"I've had since November last year to beat myself up about this and work through the process of feeling bad and guilty about what I've done. It's not an easy road and I wouldn't wish it on anyone."

When asked if he would now resign, Gualter said he would be waiting for the police to conduct an employment investigation before making any decision.

"I'd love to keep my job, I enjoy my job, but I'll just have to let that process go along."

He expected the investigation would get underway within a couple of weeks.

- NZPA