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Police officers filmed using riot shields to sledge down a snowy hill while on duty have been reprimanded.

The footage of a group of officers on Boars Hill, Oxford, was taken by Rick Latham on Tuesday.

Mr Latham said they were only there for a few minutes and praised the officers for having a "sense of humour".

Supt Andrew Murray said those involved have been spoken to and advised that their actions were a "bad idea".

But the local policing area commander added that the snow had "a habit of bringing out the child in all of us".

"I have spoken to the officers concerned and reminded them in no uncertain terms that tobogganing on duty, on police equipment and at taxpayers' expense is a very bad idea should they wish to progress under my command," Supt Murray added.



Mr Latham, 50, from Oxford, said he was on the hill when the officers came over.

"I thought they were going to tell us off at first," Mr Latham told BBC News.

"But they had a look at the hill and two of them went down on their shields.

"They were jovial and it was nice to see officers taking time out to get involved.

"They were only there for a few minutes so I don't think they should be criticised.



BBC News - Oxford riot shield sledging police officers reprimanded



YouTube - Sledging with the Old Bill

:yh_rotfl

Good lads.

Sounds as though the supt got it about right, too. (Imagines all the police stores quietly being emptied of anything that will sledge...)

I saw this on TV and laughed so much. It just shows they are people except Unfortunately In this country, we get the odd one who lets the whole force down.

I really don't think they should have been reprimanded... Sour grapes.

If it was a verbal reprimand, with nothing down on their police records, fair enough. Anything else is rubbish! And I would think that the senior police officer has lost his sense of humour. IMO these coppers were doing a little bit of PR, and it doesn't hurt that they show people that they are human beings, and have a sense of fun.

I saw this on the news, I thought the police officers were cool!

If their reprimanded, it must have been a Grinch who did it. Party pooper!

If it was a verbal reprimand, with nothing down on their police records,


That's my impression.

I want one of those shields, they don't half go well!!!



Just a bit of fun, coppers are human too.



Years ago I used to visit a local youth club when I was policing, have been known to join the kids on their skateboards - it was called 'finding common ground' in those days:rolleyes: