A NORFOLK speed cameras official has been dismissed following complaints about inappropriate behaviour after he was found to have sent offensive emails on police computers.

A NORFOLK speed cameras official has been dismissed following complaints about inappropriate behaviour after he was found to have sent offensive emails on police computers.

Former police officer Bryan Edwards, who was deputy manager and communications manager for the Norfolk Safety Camera Partnership for almost a decade, had been absent from the organisation for more than a month after disciplinary action.

The public message from the partnership had been that he was on sick leave, but yesterday it emerged he had been suspended.

Mr Edwards appealed against the decision to sack him from the partnership, which is run primarily by Norfolk police and Norfolk County Council. But this week it was confirmed he had been unsuccessful.

A police spokesman was unable to comment on the exact nature of Mr Edwards's alleged misconduct, but it is understood that he was dismissed after being accused of sending joke emails that were considered offensive. The investigation was led by the force's human resources department.

Mr Edwards could not be contacted but is thought to be considering action via an employment tribunal.

The force spokesman added: “Norfolk Constabulary confirms that a member of staff from the county's camera safety partnership has been dismissed following inappropriate use of the constabulary's communication systems.

“We expect the highest standards of conduct from our officers and staff, both on or off duty. Anyone who falls below our standards will be held accountable for their actions.”

Mr Edwards had been given a final written warning after a similar accusation in July last year. The allegations centre on instant messaging and emails sent to colleagues. In previous incidents the messages are thought to have been sent to senior officers.

He served as a police officer in the county for 30 years, including spells in the traffic division and as pilot of the police helicopter.

His appointment to the camera partnership followed a personal tragedy when he narrowly escaped death in a car accident near Norwich.

At the time he had been on the verge of completing a commercial pilot's licence before being employed by a local airline.