A police sergeant has been sacked after using a picture frame to fake being hard at work from home.

The officer, known only as Sergeant X, weighed down her keyboard so her laptop would not go into sleep mode — creating the illusion she was solving crimes while she was not.

Now she has been barred from working in any UK law enforcement agency.

Her downfall came in 2024 when Avon and Somerset Police’s Professional Standards Department flagged her keystrokes as “significantly high”.

An investigation found the majority of her shifts recorded between three and eight times more keystrokes than colleagues in similar roles. That raised alarm bells.

When questioned, Sergeant X admitted she had wedged the corner of a picture frame onto her keyboard.

The trick kept her computer active while she dealt with challenges in her personal life.

Assistant Chief Constable Craig Holden, who chaired the misconduct panel, ruled her behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.

The force did not mince words.

Detective Superintendent Larisa Hunt, head of Professional Standards at Avon and Somerset Police, said it was “extremely disappointing” that an officer had acted in a way that could discredit the force and undermine public confidence.

She acknowledged officers face immense pressure and high workloads.

But she stressed that, despite Sergeant X having some mitigating circumstances, it was “unacceptable” to deliberately abuse the trust placed in her by making it appear she was working when she was not.

The force emphasised that the overwhelming majority of officers and staff work hard to protect the public.

Sergeant X is not alone. In September, Detective Constable Niall Thubron, 33, of Durham Police, was found to have been “key jamming” while working from home.

It was alleged he intended to give the impression he was completing tasks.

He would have been dismissed for gross misconduct — but resigned before that could happen.

Then in June, PC Liam Reakes clocked up more than 100 fake hours by weighing down the “Z” key on his keyboard.

He is believed to have typed just shy of 11 million Zs while pretending to work from home.

Like Thubron, he quit before he was formally sacked.

The cases shine a harsh spotlight on remote working within police forces.

With keystrokes monitored and professional standards teams watching, attempts to game the system are being uncovered.

For Sergeant X, the picture frame ploy has ended her policing career.

And for others tempted to try similar tricks, the message from misconduct panels is clear: fake work, face the consequences.

Key Takeaways

• Sergeant X used a picture frame to fake keystrokes while working from home.

• She was sacked for gross misconduct and barred from UK policing.

• Two other officers resigned after similar “key jamming” scandals.

Police officer sacked after using WFH hack to trick bosses into thinking she was solving crimes

Should have spent 20 dollars and bought one of these

I know a few people "working" for the NHS at home who employ similar tactics.

At least they had a sense of humour to weigh down the Z key.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

12 hours ago, bannork said:

The force emphasised that the overwhelming majority of officers and staff work hard to protect the public.

'The overwhelming majority of officers and staff work hard to protect the public' ... from the comfort of their kitchen / man (person) cave etc. But not like, ya' know, by doing anything as outdated as pounding the beat rather than a keyboard.

"reports of an old lady being assaulted in your street - respond immediately"

"Unable. Currently State 4. Just put some pop tarts in the toaster"

Did she put the handcuffs on herself. Couldn't she time each session. D'oh!