A DETECTIVE who carried a knuckle duster and drank alcohol while on duty has been sacked.

Metropolitan Police officer Mark Eve, based in Romford, was found guilty of misconduct over a litany of breaches that included routinely using racist language in direct conversations and WhatsApp chats.

He was also found to have tampered with evidence in a burglary case in 2015, and stole a personal photo from a female colleague’s phone, showing it to another officer.

The detective constable was found guilty of gross misconduct over these claims.

Concerns were raised by colleagues over his behaviour, which also included carrying a knuckle duster and drinking alcohol while on duty.

Mr Eve was found guilty of misconduct over these claims, and further allegations that he had interviewed, without authority, a suspect who was on bail as well as carrying out surveillance without the proper permission.

He was sacked on October 11 after a week-long hearing in front of a Metropolitan Police disciplinary panel.

This followed an investigation by the police watchdog that concluded in November 2017.

Mr Eve was suspended from duty while the investigation took place.

Sal Naseem, from the Independent Office for Police Conduct, said: “This sort of behaviour serves only to undermine public confidence in policing and the hard work and endeavour of serving officers.

“Indeed, it was serving officers who came forward to report DC Eve’s unacceptable behaviour.

“This is to be commended as this led to our investigation and ultimately his dismissal by the panel.”