Watch: 'Hypocritical' police officer filmed using his mobile phone while sitting at traffic lights

A police officer who was filmed using his mobile phone while waiting at traffic lights is facing an investigation into his conduct.

Video footage taking by Rizwan Desai, a passenger in another vehicle, shows the officer behind the wheel in an unmarked police van speaking on a mobile phone.

Mr Desai, who filmed the officer at a set of lights in Bradford city centre on Thursday, later complained to the police about what he saw.

He said: ‘I would describe this as disgraceful and horrendous as the police’s job is to inform the public not to use mobile phones as they can put lives at danger.’

Mr Desai said the officer’s actions were ‘hypocritical’ as the fixed penalty for using a mobile whilst driving had only been increased in 2017.

He added: ‘He was putting people’s lives at risk on the public road.’

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Supt Daniel Greenwood, from West Yorkshire Police, said a complaint had been received of an officer using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt and the individual had been identified.

He said: ‘The officer has been identified and the matter has been referred to West Yorkshire Police’s professional standards department for further investigation.

‘An investigation is also ongoing in relation to possible road traffic offences and these will be dealt with as if they were committed by a member of the public.

‘We demand the highest standards of our officers and staff and, where these standards are not upheld, we will investigate thoroughly and take appropriate action.’