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FIVE Merseyside Police Matrix officers were sacked on the spot by a disciplinary panel after taking mobile phone pictures of themselves fooling around inside a house they were supposed to be searching.

The ECHO revealed in May how eight Matrix officers were suspended from duty after the pictures came to light during an investigation into the actions of other members of the crack anti-gun anti-gang unit.

And after a three-month internal inquiry, which has already seen one sergeant sacked, the five constables caught on camera were given their marching orders yesterday.

The hearing headed by senior officers dismissed all five, without notice, having found them guilty of gross misconduct.

An investigation by the Professional Standards Department uncovered the incriminating photos as they probed separate allegations that some Matrix officers had been taking items from raided homes and putting them up for sale on internet auction site eBay.

Three officers, including the now-sacked Sgt Charlie Tennant, 43, were suspended over those allegations.

Tennant, who had 23 years police service, was also embroiled in the mobile phone scandal.

Now those with him in the pictures are also looking for new employment.

Two senior officers within Matrix were also suspended as part of the probe for failing to supervise the search team properly.

The ECHO understands one has been reinstated but the second remains suspended.

Today Deputy Chief Constable Bernard Lawson said: "We expect the highest standards from our officers and these officers fell far short of that expectation.

"Our residents and communities have the right to expect our officers to act professionally and with integrity at all times so that they can have confidence in the work that we do.

"The behaviour of these officers came to light after a proactive investigation was carried out by our Professional Standards Department.

"After considering all the evidence a misconduct hearing, chaired by a Chief Officer, found the officers guilty of gross misconduct and they were dismissed from the force.

"As a force we believe it is important to take swift and decisive action when officers are found to have fallen short of the standards we expect and in this case we have done just that.

"We are proud that over the past three years we have seen such significant falls in crime within Merseyside, particularly the 26 per cent drop in gun crime.

"That is in no small part down to the good work of the Matrix team. They do a difficult and demanding job but we are quite clear: high standards are non-negotiable.

"The overwhelming majority of Matrix officers are a credit to our Force and we are very proud to have them work for us.

"I am disappointed that the actions of this small minority of officers has had a disproportionate impact on public confidence and our community relations.

"I hope, by taking the action we have today, that our communities can be confident in our commitment to high standards of conduct and our continuing determination to fight crime in Merseyside."

The two constables suspended over the eBay probe remain, along with Tennant, on police bail after being formally arrested and questioned over the claims.