By Jo Best, 11 March 2004 12:05
NEWS Isn't the internet great? All that information at your fingertips. A world of knowledge waiting to be discovered. Failing that, it's a cheap way to look at some hardcore porn or order some transvestite clothing when you've got nothing better to do in the office.
Probably best to not look at saucy sites while you're at work, though, eh? Especially if you're a Lothian and Borders police officer and your PC is about to be audited by your bosses.
That's just what happened to 41 officers and six civilian staff from the forces north of the border. Some of the boys in blue had apparently been checking out porn sites and one had been buying clothing from transvestite websites. Others were caught sending smutty jokes or email messages.
None of the officers involved are likely to lose their jobs over their web habits as none of the sites were illegal, but they will be on the receiving end of a stiff talking to from their HR department and a reminder of the force's email and internet usage policy. Disciplinary action may also be taken against the officers in question.
The saucy surfing was revealed in a routine checks in September and, as a result, the police launched a full review of their IT.
And the cops aren't the only ones whose wayward web use has landed them in hot water. A York parish councillor has been combining her council duties with running a pay-per-view pornography website.
Although she informed the parish council of her other business before she joined, her position is now under review by the authority.
Comments
There are 4 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
While the sites may be legal, the 'consumption' of their content in the UK probably isn't and the posession of a hard drive with said material almost certainly isn't. I'd like to see those police officers receive a 'roasting'.
2. Brian Burkill
SO WHAT,
They were not into any illegal sites, their work wasnt compromised etc. Had they been illegal sites, then fair enough, crack down on them.
If people want to look at porn and order Transvestite clothing, providing its done in their own time, let them.
The police have a rough time as it is, give them a break and have a look at some girlies in frilly knickers (or blokes...).
I dont see a problem.
3. Mr Pipe
So you're happy for our 'overstretched' and 'undermanned' police forces to allow officers to surf the web for porn - as long as it's not illegal porn - while they are at work? Sounds like a good use of taxpayers' money.
4. anonymous
yeah right !
So what do they call Legal Porn?
Most users would face the sack in any other institution for looking at porn at work legal or otherwise.
If they are not dismissed then this will open the doorway for any sad git caught looking at porn at work who was then dismissed to go back to their ex employed shouting unfair dismissal ! (and knowing the crap system in this country - they'll proberbly be awarded thosands of £££ compensation....)
Boys and Girls - if you want to play
and let your inhibitions out for an airing - DO IT AT HOME
They can't sack you, or accuse you
of being sexist or otherwise....
(unless you are really breaking the law and then they should just throw away the key !)