Metropolitan Police warned not to use sex workers and must declare all new relationships under new guidelines
POLICE in Britain’s biggest force have been banned from using sex workers.
They must also declare all romantic relationships and any windfall of £5,000-plus under new vetting guidelines.
The use of sex workers has been specifically banned for the first time by the Metropolitan Police after previously being dealt with under general misconduct regulations.
Advice issued in April to all forces said the use of sex workers by officers and staff risked undermining public trust.
A Met spokeswoman said: “Building on this, the Met has developed guidance. Any instance will be referred to the Directorate of Professional Standards.”
Two senior Met officers have previously escaped with minor rebukes for using sex workers.
Vetting has been tightened up after scandals involving Met officers, including murderer Wayne Couzens and serial rapist David Carrick.
The guidelines state Met employees must declare any personal relationships.
Windfalls of £5,000 or more received by officers and staff, or their partners, must also be registered — down from the previous £10,000.
However, ex-Met detective Mick Neville said: “For many years, vetting was extremely poor but now they seem to want too much information.
“What business is it of the Met if an officer legitimately inherits some money?”
He said it was “totally unacceptable” for cops to use sex workers, but he added: “Having to declare every new partner seems to go too far. What if an officer wants to keep their sexuality a secret?”
The Met said: “Vetting applicants is imperative if we are to ensure the right people join us. But it is just as important our existing workforce continue to meet the high standards and levels of vetting rightly expected of them throughout their careers.”