TikTok cop probed over jokey clips
A POLICEMAN is under investigation for posting jokey videos on the social network TikTok while on duty.
The Metropolitan Police constable could become one of the UK’s first officers to face misconduct proceedings over his use of the controversial video-sharing app.
It comes after the MoS revealed last week that chief constables had warned forces it was inappropriate to put light-hearted dancing and singing clips online as Britain battles coronavirus.
The Scotland Yard officer, thought to be called Jordan, had put dozens of clips on TikTok in the past month – including at least six when he was meant to be working to keep London safe. In one, he filmed himself in uniform sitting in a police car with a female colleague joking about one of the stars of hit Netflix documentary Tiger King being a murderer.
In another, the officer was filmed opening and closing a police car door in sync with a colleague honking the horn to the tune of a pop song while parked in a residential street.
Another video showed an officer approaching a dog unit car, as a child’s voice-over asks: ‘Can I pet that dog?’
He also posted a clip of one Met officer lifting another over his shoulder, and one of a colleague sitting in a police station with the caption ‘isolation challenge’.
The officer, who used the handle JJW3293, described himself as ‘Just a man on a mission to keep some positivity during the coronavirus!’
He had built up more than 3,000 followers before deleting his profile when bosses became aware of it.
Four of his off-duty videos showed a woman walking around a flat and were captioned ‘Mira Hindley’, in an apparent reference to the notorious Moors murderer. Another made a crude joke about her and was soundtracked with a song called I Just Had Sex. Scotland Yard confirmed last night that the PC was under investigation. A spokesman said: ‘The officers have been reminded of their responsibility to act professionally and responsibly on social media. The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards are aware.’
Neither the PC nor his female colleague, who both work in the West Area Basic Command Unit, has been suspended. The Met declined to name them.
Former Detective Chief Superintendent Kevin Moore said last night: ‘Why on earth is a police officer doing that? It brings discredit on the police service in the eyes of the public.’