Neighbourhood Police Team Axed After Officers Caught Playing Poker

A south London neighbourhood policing team has been axed following an investigation which found some of the officers playing backgammon and poker, watching television and cleaning golf clubs while on duty.

Seven officers resigned or were dismissed from the Safer Neighbourhood Team in the Mottingham and Chislehurst North ward in Bromley.

The disciplinary action followed an undercover operation by the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) directorate of professional standards in 2010.

One sergeant and a PC were sacked after the Met's disciplinary panel found them guilty of gross misconduct. Another PC and three of the team's community support officers resigned, while a fourth was dismissed.

Three of the officers were also charged with criminal offences as well as police misconduct.

A statement issued by the Met read: "The disciplinary panel heard evidence that officers from the team had played backgammon and poker whilst on duty, watched TV in the office, frequently failed to go out on patrol, had not worked full tours of duty and also claimed overtime that had not been worked.

"In addition, one officer had gone out for runs during the working day whilst a further officer cleaned his golf clubs in the office. These activities appear to have taken place at the expense of policing duties, such as patrolling the local area."

(H)