Nope....He watched a couple having Sex

A police officer has been sacked over allegations he went "dogging" while on duty.

Pc Darren Lumber, 35, has been sacked from his post as a beat manager with Avon and Somerset Police over claims he joined in with a man and woman as they had sex at a National Trust beauty spot.

His behaviour was branded "disgraceful" by a senior officer and he was dismissed on the grounds of misconduct while on duty after a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.

Mr Lumber - who denies the accusation and is set to appeal - allegedly joined in with the couple as they had sex in a car park at Sand Point, near Weston-super-Mare, last December.

The incident was investigated by police after a member of staff raised concerns about his behaviour.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Mortimore apologised for the officer's conduct.

He said: "Avon and Somerset Constabulary took immediate steps to deal with this matter as soon as the incident came to light.

"The case was robustly investigated and brought before a disciplinary hearing.

"This officer's behaviour is quite disgraceful. He breached the force's code of conduct and its values, and more importantly breached the public's confidence and trust in him.

"The public of Avon and Somerset expect, quite rightly, our staff to behave in a manner befitting their position and with the utmost honesty and integrity.

"Successful policing relies upon public confidence and mutual respect. On this occasion the officer has failed to maintain this high standard and we apologise for that.

"However, his actions do not represent the professionalism of the 5,000 plus police officers and police staff who work for this organisation.

"The robust action taken by this force shows that we will not tolerate this sort of behaviour."

Mr Lumber, who was beat manager in Kewstoke, near Weston-super-Mare, said he will appeal against the decision.

He said: "I have strongly denied this allegation from the start and have the full support of my family and close friends.

"I can't comment further on this allegation as I'm in the process of an appeal."

"Dogging" is the name given to the practice of having sex with strangers in public places.

This officer's behaviour is quite disgraceful. He breached the force's code of conduct and its values

Are they taking the piss?

I am quite sure a lot of other officers have done far worse than the above and got away with it!

... but on the other hand, would rather police employed their time having some nookie rather than concocting ridiculous claims against innocent people.

nm