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Met policeman axed for putting naked pictures of himself online
10.11.09
A firearms officer with the Met has been removed from his unit after posting naked photographs of himself on the internet.
Pc Malcolm Thomas used the name “funboybobby” to display the pictures on an adult dating site.
The 40-year-old even took photos of himself inside his Metropolitan Police HQ in south London and emailed them to a woman he met on the website.
He also sent a picture of himself posing in his uniform and body armour with his police issue Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
In some photographs the CO19 officer appeared aroused while in another he showed off a tattoo above his bare bottom.
Thomas also boasted about police operations. He used his personal email address to talk about being at the scene when marksmen shot dead lawyer Mark Saunders, 32, last year after he fired a shotgun from his Chelsea flat.
In his online profile, Thomas calls himself “very adventurous” and “very dominant”.
During one chat with a woman called Christina he admitted having sex with a former lover while on duty.
A Met spokeswoman said Thomas had been axed from the CO19 firearms unit immediately after the evidence against him came to light.
She said: “We expect firearms officers to display the highest standards of skill, professionalism and judgement on a daily basis. This case highlights serious concern about the officer's judgement.”
One source close to CO19 said officers could not lay themselves open to blackmail: “Armed officers keep surveillance on terrorists and serious criminal suspects. It is not appropriate that their most personal details should be open for anyone to view.”
Reader views (19)
Quite right that this very silly man should be sacked. Professional standards should be maintained. And, Peter, just because "everyone else does it" means nothing. It is still a foolish and ill judged thing to do; as well as being undignified, immature and unprofessional.
- Fantod, London UK
Of course, if he was an MP there'd be no adverse consequences at all.
- Mdj E10, london uk
This officer must have been from the 'crack' unit of the Metropolitan Police! But seriously, what a complete moron, a little like the one featured in this youtube video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbks-FvSFVs
Another met officer messing around online and in uniform, video also involves actual firearms
- Mark, London
Stephen of London is out of his depth. The offending officer was 40. You are hardly likely to get into the infantry at that age.
- Mark Cleminson, Richmond, BC. Canada
Why stephend and alan are you commenting on his choice of job as a firearms officer instead of being a soldier. This is completely irrelevant and also misinformed. Many people in previously serving forces go on to join the police, how do you know he was not one of them? Where did it say he thought he was a hardcase, and also not all firearms officers are wannabe soldiers. You both make very sweeping statements that just sound anti police in general and nothing to do with what has happened here.
- F, Croydon, Surrey
saw this guys profile and there were no obscene pics on there - if he chooses to strike up a conversation then swap naughty pics why should that be a problem?? half the country are on.line doing it anyway!!!!
- Michelle, essex
Alan from Wimbledon...if most police firearms officers wanted to be soldiers then they`d have joined the Armed Forces wouldn`t they? What a dopey comment to make. I take it you`ve got a nice comfy 9-5 job behind a nice safe desk somewhere warm and dry. Stephen, my comment applies to you too.
- Matt, Islington
in my day his actions would have been regarded a discredit to the force.what an idiot,would not trust him to any undercover duties,he would be a danger in many respects,a liability to all concerned...The rest of his unit must be hiding their faces. what a credit to the force, I dont think so....
- Ken, paris,france
With such a high opinion of himself, it is unbelievable he ever managed to get his head through doorways let alone wearing a police hat or helmet.
Should a man with such poor judgement of reality really be trusted to stand up in court giving evidence on behalf of the crown?
Send the hero to face the Taliban, then watch him be a flop in every sense.
Not fit to wear the uniform, he has no judgement of right or wrong. A fantasist.
- Ken.H, Harrow. UK
So, he still remains a police officer then, just no longer expected "...to display the highest standards of skill, professionalism and judgement on a daily basis."
- Sam_M, london
Agree with Stephen D.Most firearms officers are wanabe soldiers but don't have the backbone. Their firearms skills would be better with a bit of practice in Afganistan.No electricians and lawyers to shoot there, though.Might need a risk assessment from Health and Safety.
- Alan., Wimbledon
He is a disgrace to the others in his unit & to all other Met officers. No, I am not in the job, but know many who are. The majority do a very good job, & keep work & play totally seperate. So should he. This man should resign from the Met very soon, or be sacked.
- Mike B, Epsom, Surrey, England
Sue - so you know each and every one of the police that have been recruited recently do you? Exactly what is the point of your sweeping and prejudiced statement?
And it is, of course, blatanly untrue.
For each and every 'moron' I bet I could find you hundreds, if not thousands, of Police Officers who daily put their personal safety and lives on the line and endure non-stop harrasement from not only criminals, but the press and the general public like you, and all so you and your family can live your lives in greater safety and freedom.
Or would you rather they didn't?
- Mikki, London
Why the fuss, just cos he's a policeman? He's cute! I reckon more guys in uniform should be getting naked online :o)
- Jack, London
There are millions of people now with profiles on the internet with nude/sexy photos, is everyone going to be sacked for it? The fact that the guy openly displayed his photos makes him far less likely to blackmailed that someone who is ashamed of having a sex life and keeps everything behind closed door.
- Peter, London
So its true, the Police Force ARE recruiting a bunch of complete morons these days!
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
This guy is a prat. Don't blame all police for this idiot.
- Tom, London
What a boody awfull poice force we have, but very good at catching you for speeding
- Richard Edmunds, Rayleigh UK
If he thinks he is a hard case why not volunteer for Afghanistan where they don’t use shot guns, table chair legs or air pistols but real weapons and they also don’t give stuff about the policeman’s uniform. To think this mental dwarf is supposed to protect us from seriously dangerous criminals and then exposes himself to all sorts of possible future repercussions. What a plank.
- Stephend, London, England
