A POLICE officer has been sacked following allegations of drug use, the Thames Valley force has revealed.

Police Constable Ryan Sproat was arrested by police in Portsmouth last year after a doorman found him with a Class A drug.

Following a two-day internal hearing, Assistant Chief Constable Christopher Shead, dismissed him from the force.

PC Sproat was arrested by Hampshire police but no criminal charges were brought due to insufficient evidence, a statement from Thames Valley police said.

Misconduct hearings are based on the balance of probabilities rather than proof beyond reasonable doubt, the standard required in criminal court cases.

Senior officers heard that Mr Sproat, who was based at Loddon Valley Police Station in Earley, was found in Tiger Tiger nightclub with MDMA.

He was arrested on the night of January 13 last year and it was referred to the Thames Valley Professional Standards Department. 

Deputy Chief Constable John Campbell said: "PC Sproat's actions were totally unacceptable as a serving officer.

"Thames Valley Police officers are expected, even when off-duty, to uphold the highest of standards

"All reports of misconduct are taken very seriously and will continue to be investigated thoroughly." 

Mr Sproat was dismissed on Tuesday March 1 after a two day public misconduct hearing, which found he probably received the drug in exchange for drinks.