Nottinghamshire Police officer told barmaid who cut him off: 'You are going to regret that'

A former Nottinghamshire Police officer has been found guilty of misconduct after telling a barmaid "you are going to regret that" after being cut off for being too drunk. Former police constable Fraser Beresford was off-duty on a night out with colleagues at Mojo, in Thurland Street, when he used demeaning and threatening language towards the member of staff.

A misconduct hearing, held at police headquarters in Sherwood Lodge Drive, Arnold, on Monday, April 29 heard the then policeman said “I’m a cop you need to serve me, you’re just a barmaid”, “I’m a ******* police officer” and “you are going to regret that”. The barmaid said his alleged behaviour left her feeling “let down” and caused her to quit her job.

Mr Beresford resigned with immediate effect last week (Friday, April 26), but said the decision had no bearing on his case. He admitted being too drunk and "belligerent" when not being served, but denied using any of the alleged abusive or threatening language and revealing he was a police officer.

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A legally-qualified independent chair found him guilty of misconduct today (Tuesday, April 30), finding he used words to the effect of "I’m a police officer, you are going to regret that and you ought to watch yourself". He was found to have breached three standards of professional behaviour - authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.

Deputy Chief Constable Steve Cooper said Mr Beresford's "completely unacceptable" actions damaged the reputation of Nottinghamshire Police. “The public deserve the highest possible standards from our officers whether they are on or off duty and this officer has let himself and his colleagues down," he said.

"I would like to personally thank both off-duty officers for apologising for his actions on the night and also advising the member of bar staff to report this matter to us." Mr Beresford, who was not present at the hearing, apologised for upsetting the bar worker and said his behaviour was a “mistake I will have to live with for the rest of my life”.

He had drank around 10 pints while out with several Nottinghamshire Police colleagues on the night of April 27, last year and was sick into his drink at The Stage before moving on to Mojo. The barmaid, referred to as Ms A, told the hearing yesterday that he "completely changed as a person" and became aggressive after being offered water instead of alcohol.

He was later removed by security. "I felt anxious and nervous and as though I’d been let down," said Ms A. "It’s the fact he was a police officer, that’s someone we hope looks after us. We turn to those people when we’re in need.

Simon Riley, from the force's police federation, read out an apology from Mr Beresford. “I think I was extremely stressed and mismanaged and not supported during my time in the police," he said.

"I made a poor decision, I let a lot of people down. It’s a mistake I will have to live with for the rest of my life." Addressing Ms A, he added: "You may think I’m a bad person. I’m not. I apologise for upsetting you."