WHAT A COP-UP
Sarge puts HIMSELF on court’s charge list
A BUNGLING cop was charged with rape after entering his own name on the force computer by mistake.
The new custody sergeant was practising, but a warrant was issued for his arrest as he failed to show up in court.
A BUNGLING policeman ended up wanted for rape after entering his own name on the force computer by mistake.
The new custody sergeant was practising on the system and did not realise it was live.
He created a custody record in his own name, added the rape charge and sent it off to court.
But the charge ended up at a magistrates’ court, and when he did not show up a warrant was issued for his arrest. It was one of a series of bungles revealed on a Facebook page called UK Cop Humour.
The sergeant – who has not been named – was among a number of officers to unintentionally give themselves criminal records by entering their own names into the police database.
One officer revealed: “We have a new officer just out of tutorship. While creating a custody number for a harassment job, the officer filled forms in under their own name rather than the suspect and therefore uploaded herself to PNC (police national computer) giving herself a criminal record.”
Police unmasked as dropping clangers are traditionally made to buy their fellow officers cakes. One user commented: “There is a fine of breakfast and a victim surcharge of cakes.”
But Facebook user Guy said: “In all seriousness how does she get the criminal record removed?”
Chris added: “That’s going to take some work to undo.”
Another bobby revealed: “I know an officer who filled out the register in the mortuary with his own name.”
And one added: “Similar to the now DC (Det Con) who forgot to take someone’s fingerprints so took his own and submitted them as the prisoner’s.”
EVERYONE makes the odd work cock-up.
But a rookie sergeant making himself a rape suspect with a clumsy key stroke is worrying.
The computer-illiterate copper received a court date and a warrant was issued for his arrest before the error was uncovered.
It might sound like a funny story down the pub.
But police are supposed to be enforcing law and order countrywide.
It doesn’t inspire much confidence if they can’t even fill out a form.
Shockingly, this wasn’t an isolated incident.
Other officers told tales of coppers faking fingerprints, falsely filling out mortuary records and giving themselves criminal records.
They are always moaning about doing too much paperwork.
It’s not a task that many of us enjoy. But like any job, it needs doing properly.
And, unlike the rest of us, when they get it wrong the consequences can be dire.