Police Sergeant Dismissed for Faking Work-From-Home Activity with Picture Frame
A police sergeant has been dismissed without notice after being found guilty of gross misconduct for pretending to work from home by using a picture frame to weigh down laptop keys. The officer, referred to as Sergeant X to protect her anonymity, admitted to the deceit during a misconduct hearing held in Portishead on Wednesday.
Deceitful Tactics Uncovered
Sergeant X confessed to placing a corner of a picture frame on her laptop keys to prevent the device from entering sleep mode. This allowed her to create the illusion of active work while monitoring calls on a separate screen. The misconduct panel heard that this behaviour occurred during a period when Sergeant X was facing personal challenges, though this was not accepted as justification for her actions.
Investigation Triggered by Keystroke Data
The investigation began in June 2024 after Avon and Somerset Police's Professional Standards Department identified suspicious activity through data analysis. The data revealed that Sergeant X's keystrokes were significantly higher than normal during 2024, prompting further scrutiny. During April and May 2025, evidence showed her keystroke activity was between three and eight times higher than colleagues in similar roles, raising red flags about her work patterns.
Panel Findings and Consequences
Former Assistant Chief Constable Craig Holden, who chaired the misconduct panel, concluded that Sergeant X's behaviour amounted to gross misconduct. As a result, she has been dismissed without notice and barred from working in police or other law enforcement agencies. Barrister Mark Ley-Morgan, representing the professional standards department, noted there was no evidence to support Sergeant X's claim that a supervisor wanted to remove her from the department, which she cited as a fear motivating her actions.
Police Response and Public Trust
Detective Superintendent Larisa Hunt, head of Avon and Somerset Police's Professional Standards Department, expressed disappointment in the officer's conduct. "It is extremely disappointing an officer has behaved in a way which could not only discredit the police force, but also undermine public confidence in respect of our duties and responsibilities," she stated. Hunt acknowledged the pressures faced by police staff but emphasised that deliberate deceit was unacceptable. "While Sergeant X had some mitigating circumstances, it's unacceptable for an officer to act in this deliberate and deceitful way by abusing the trust placed in her, by making it appear she was working when she was not," she added.
Broader Implications for Remote Work
This case highlights ongoing challenges in monitoring remote work integrity within law enforcement and other sectors. The police force reiterated that the overwhelming majority of officers and staff work diligently to protect the public, but incidents like this necessitate strict accountability measures to maintain professional standards and public trust.
