Staffordshire Police is investigating after a video went viral on social media seeming to show two police officers asleep in their car in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent
A police force has launched an investigation after a video seemed to show two officers were found asleep on duty in their squad car.
The vehicle was found at a junction near a roundabout in Fenton, Stoke-on-trent, with its car lights on. As the person with the camera approached the car, the pair of officers can be seen slumped inside the vehicle in the early hours of Monday.
The video has been shared widely on social media. It said: “For those who haven’t seen it yet, this is the viral video showing two of our finest asleep in charge of a running motor vehicle.”
The short clip drew several comments. One said: “Could have been on a 12 hour shift protecting you from the scum in Stoke, let them sleep. You probs don’t even know what they have to deal with on a daily basis.”
Another added: “It’s all very well commenting negatively about these officers, or indeed any of our county constabulary. Night shifts are very draining, especially the first one. You feel drained and bone weary, you can feel sick, hardly able to keep your eyes open. Anyway, who is to say, definitely, they were asleep? Only those negative commentators on this post, of course.”
Another added: “I sometimes take a nap after driving (working) a few hours. It’s called being responsible. If it’s cold I’ll leave the engine running. Lorry drivers also do it. Again it’s being responsible. What a pathetic post.” Another said: “Judging by the comments there are loads of people who could do the job better so can only assume there will be a lot of applications going in in the morning.”
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: “We’re aware of a video on social media involving two police officers inside a car in the early hours in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent. Our Professional Standards Department (PSD) is aware of the incident and they are conducting a full review of the circumstances.”
