Officers are working as extras in roles which range from armed response officers to riot police, claims the London Evening Standard. With daily rates of up to 120 plus overtime, the TV work is more lucrative than a constable's day job.
Officers can pursue outside employment, including acting work, if they have gained permission.
The London Evening Standard reports that an extras agency has been set up by the wife of an officer who works in the diplomatic protection group. It added that at least two Met officers have been caught working without permission in ITV's long-running police series The Bill and EastEnders, but neither has lost their job as a result. Approval would normally have to be gained from an area commander, who would assess whether the role an officer was hoping to play was compatible with his work in the Met. It is understood that an anti-police drama would be considered a conflict of interests. All rights reserved.