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Police chiefs have told staff not to exchange texts featuring kisses and heart emojis amid concerns about sexual harassment.
Frontline officers and PCSOs at Essex Police received the warning shortly before one of their number was found guilty of gross misconduct for sending sexual messages to three female colleagues.
However, the move has been ridiculed by some staff, with one critic suggesting that the force's top brass care 'more about being PC than PCs'.
One officer told The Mail on Sunday: 'It's total nonsense. You're texting a friend or a pal and put a little kiss, or heart and all of a sudden that's inappropriate and is being policed by bosses.
'I can understand forces need to make sure messages stay professional but this is just a bit over the top.
'How can they say this is part of a policy to prevent sexual harassment? It's ridiculous and more like a policy to prevent friendliness between staff.'
Frontline officers and PCSOs at Essex Police received the warning shortly
