Northamptonshire PC Neil Bull sacked after lubricant theft Published duration 24 January 2012

A Northamptonshire Police firearms officer has been sacked after stealing goods including lubricant sex gel.

PC Neil Bull, 37, was convicted earlier this month of three counts of shoplifting from Boots in Northampton.

Following the trial Bull was fast-tracked to a special case hearing, which has found he failed to meet the standards of behaviour expected.

Det Supt Pete Windridge said the force took "robust action" against anyone who commits a criminal offence.

'Swift action'

Mr Windridge, head of professional standards, said: "We expect the highest standards of our officers, and entrust them to uphold the principles of law.

"Occasionally there are rare cases where the actions of officers fall below the standards we expect.

"This case demonstrates that the force will thoroughly investigate and take robust action against anyone who commits a criminal offence, in an open and transparent manner, as we have done in this case.

"In a case like this, we believe it is crucial that we take swift action and we hope that this will remind the public that the vast majority of officers behave with integrity, that they can have confidence in the work we do and the commitment we have to the highest standards."

Bull, from London Road in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, had denied stealing the lubricant and other items and said he had intended to return to the store to pay.

But he was found guilty at Northampton Crown Court of stealing from the store on three occasions in 2010 after the court heard he had been shoplifting for thrills.