An officer who took a photo of a dead body and attempted to show it to his colleagues has been dismissed without notice.
PC Timothy Robson attended a sudden death on September 10 last year and took a photograph on his personal mobile phone, despite having no legitimate policing purpose to do so.
The officer, who was based on the North East Area Command, went on to show or offered to show the image to several of his colleagues.
A misconduct hearing found Mr Robson’s actions breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to discreditable conduct, authority, respect and courtesy, and duties and responsibilities.
He has been dismissed without notice.
Superintendent Jai Singh, from the North East Area Command, said: “PC Robson has acted abhorrently and without any thought for the dignity of the individual and their loved ones.
“I would like to apologise to those affected by his actions and for any additional distress caused.
“I am grateful to the colleagues who came forward to report this behaviour, enabling us to take decisive action against an officer whose conduct fell significantly short of the high standards we expect of all our officers and staff.”
PC Robson will also be added to the College of Policing barred list, preventing him re-joining the police or working for a number of other policing-related bodies.
