Officers are investigating after a photograph, which appeared on social media, showed a half-naked man in police equipment in a Tinder profile picture.

In a screenshot of the dating app profile shared on Twitter, the man is wearing only a stab-proof vest and is using a Devon and Cornwall Police hat to cover his genitals.

He is white with a shaved head and the profile says he is 34-years-old.

Dr Rebecca Tidy, who shared the picture, covered his face with an apple emoji.

Writing to the force on Twitter, she said: "Hey @DC_Police.

"One of your lot?

"I decided against swiping right."

Devon and Cornwall Police said they are looking into whether the man is a staff member.

"We are aware of an image currently circulating on social media that appears to show a partially clothed male in police equipment that is being used as a profile on a dating app," the force said.

"We are working with the Force Professional Standards Department and inquiries continue to establish if this individual is a serving police officer."