A UK detective investigating organised crime has been banned from policing for life after faking work-from-home hours by jamming a single key on his keyboard.
Detective Constable Niall Thubron, who was assigned to investigate organised crime for the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit, was allowed to work remotely two days a week.
However, Metro reported that on several occassions, he held down a single character to make it appear that he was typing.
Of the 85 hours he was contracted to work, nearly 45 were spent with the ‘i’ key pressed down.
A counter-corruption audit discovered his actions and a disciplinary hearing was set for September 29.
The panel found the 33-year-old guilty and barred from him working in policing for life.
Durham Chief Constable Rachel Bacon told Metro the public expected police officers to work diligently on their behalf.
"This is a clear case of gross misconduct and the public will be rightly appalled at the former officer's conduct."
Police officers were trusted to work from home on occasion, she added.
"To the very few who might look to take advantage of that, this is a stark warning that they will be caught and their conduct could be career-ending."
Thubron resigned from his role in May, but the hearing noted he would have been terminated otherwise.
He was added to the College of Policing’s barred list but reserved the right to appeal.
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