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Merseyside dismisses Matrix squad constables over picture of them fooling around during raid on suspect’s home Five police officers from a force’s elite gun crime unit have been sacked after a photograph emerged of them “behaving inappropriately” inside a house they were supposed to be searching. Merseyside police said the five constables had been dismissed from the force, without notice, having been found guilty of gross misconduct after the picture came to light during a professional standards investigation earlier in the year. All five worked within the Matrix team – which tackles gun and gang violence in the Liverpool area – and played a major role in targeting those linked to the murder in 2007 of the 11-year-old Rhys Jones. The photograph shows the constables fooling around during a raid on a suspect’s home and posing for a picture on a mobile phone. It was discovered during an inquiry by the force’s professional standards department while it was investigating separate allegations that some Matrix officers had been taking items from raided homes and selling them on eBay. The inquiry has already led to the sacking of one sergeant from the team and the investigation into claims items were sold on eBay is continuing. 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.” In May Sergeant Charles Tennant, 43, of the Matrix unit appeared before a fast-track disciplinary panel and was sacked for gross misconduct over the photo. Tennant and two constables remain on police bail in relation to the eBay probe. Lawson said: “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% 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.” Lawson said the overwhelming majority of Matrix officers were a credit to the force. “We are very proud to have them work for us,” he said. “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, that our communities can be confident in our commitment to high standards of conduct and our continuing determination to fight crime in Merseyside.” Matrix leads Merseyside police’s fight against drug-related gun and gang crime, which has blighted the Liverpool region. Police Liverpool Gun crime Sandra Laville guardian.co.uk