Police chiefs thought WFH officer was busy solving serious crimes – but he had simply ‘jammed keyboard’

A work-from-home police officer tricked bosses into thinking he was busy solving cases– by jamming a key on his computer.

Skiving Detective Constable Niall Thubron, 33, stood accused of ‘key jamming’ – holding down a single key so it looked like he was typing.

He was found guilty of gross misconduct following a hearing today (September 29).

Chief Constable Rachel Bacon said: ‘The public expects police officers to work diligently on their behalf – that is a trust that is painstakingly built by hardworking colleagues.

‘This is a clear case of gross misconduct and the public will be rightly appalled at the former officer’s conduct.

‘Police officers are trusted to work from home sometimes. To the very few who might look to take advantage of that, this is a stark warning that they will be caught and their conduct could be career-ending.’

The Durham police officer was alleged to have jammed his keyboard on 28 occasions over twelve days.

He intended to ‘give the impression’ that he was ‘completing tasks’ while ‘working from home’, it was alleged.

He would have been sacked for gross misconduct had he not already resigned from Durham Police in May, the disciplinary hearing concluded.

Thubron, once hailed as a promising footballer, played for the England Police team.

He joined Durham Police in 2016 as a PCSO before rising through the ranks to become a detective in 2024.

In November that year, he was handed a prestigious role tackling serious organised crime – and trusted to work from home two days a week.

Thubron was found guilty of gross misconduct after breaching standards on honesty and integrity, discreditable conduct and professional responsibilities.

Thubron was added to the College of Policing’s barred list. He has the right to appeal.

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