Police officers who sell lingerie just to make ends meet

By Charlotte Gill for the Daily Mail
Updated: 20:51 EST, 15 January 2009


David Ruffley

Shadow police minister David Ruffley wants a ban on second jobs for officers

A Tory MP has demanded a ban on the practice of police officers taking on second jobs.

It has emerged that some members of the force are lingerie sellers, hypnotists and even TV extras in their spare time.

Shadow police spokesman David Ruffley thinks officers' jobs are too important for them to be compromised 'in any way'.

Research conducted by Police Review magazine showed more than 4,300 officers across the UK have income sources or business interests outside work to make ends meet.

Mr Ruffley told Police Review: 'I know in a dire economic climate quite a few people work two jobs. But there will be few exceptional circumstances that we think would permit police officers to do so.

'The prime responsibility of an officer of the law is to have all (their) focus and attention on serving.'

Other occupations revealed by the study included chauffeur, horse dentist and grave restorer.

Horse dentist

Horse dentistry is one of many roles taken up by police officers to supplement their main income

The majority of officers with second jobs are involved in property lettings. Other common professions included building, bus driving and sports coaching.

Hypnotist

Hypnotists are also in the list of wacky second jobs taken by the police force

Simon Reed, Police Federation chairman, insisted a ban would only make the situation worse for officers.

He said: 'If Mr Ruffley is saying officers should only have one job then maybe he should apply that to MPs as well. The officers are not taking on these extra jobs because they want to  -  they do it because they have to.

He added that reports of officers facing bankruptcy were rising and 'if the Conservatives were to bring in such a policy then the problem would be driven underground'.

One Suffolk-based PC, who did not wish to be named, said: 'I know one officer who is an inspector who makes cakes and one guy who sold shoes. We are not talking about Alan Sugar here.'

Officers need permission from their chief constable before they can take on extra work.
A Home Office spokesman said: 'This is an operational decision for individual forces and officers must be available for duty when required.'

Grave restorers

While most officers undertake duties such as bus driving and sports coaching, some choose to become grave restorers

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