Caught out on Facebook

Up to a dozen police officers are being investigated after making inappropriate comments on their Facebook sites.

Their remarks include comments about wanting to beat up rioting students and describing a suspected paedophile who flashed at children in a play area as ‘a dirty scum pervert’.

Another officer posted a video on the social networking site of a U.S. policeman flooring a suspect by shoving him in the neck, writing: ‘How cool is the copper!’ A policewoman colleague replied: 'I must try this move when I am out and about again! Classic!'

And another post read: ‘I have to deal with human bacteria all day, every day. Thus I loathe and despise human kind.’

The comments were made by Essex policemen and women who apparently did not realise that their accounts could be read by members of the public. One officer remarked that he was ‘off to Southend tonight with his band of merry men to dish out some justice’.

They were reported by an unnamed member of the public who tipped off the Essex Police professional standards department which launched an investigation.

He said: ‘Police officers are expected to maintain professional standards even when they are off duty – but this lot seem to have forgotten all that.’

In a letter sent back to him he was told the officers involved were being 'dealt with under the misconduct process'.

It added: 'The relevant divisional commanders have been instructed to take management action with each of the officers concerned.

'This consists of formal advice on the use of such sites. Officers have also been instructed to remove the offending material.

'Thank you for your public-spirited action in bringing this to the attention of Essex Police.' 

source : kompas.com