A police officer searching a woman’s bedroom was filmed taking something that was not evidence.
PC Marcin Zielinski can be seen rifling through a woman’s underwear drawer on a camera hidden behind children’s toys.
Unaware he was being recorded, Zielinski looks away and then returns to the drawer.
He scrunches a pink pair of panties and puts them in his back pocket before leaving the room quickly.
You’re Knicked: Zielinski is seen taking a pair of pink panties from a woman’s home.
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He was sentenced to four months in prison this week after admitting to the theft.
Cambridge Crown Court heard Zielinski stole the underwear while carrying out a Section 32 search at a Hertfordshire home on 12 September 2024.
A woman at the address had been arrested over an unrelated matter and was later released with no further action taken.
Zielinski resigned from the force while under investigation in November 2024.
“Zielinski has let down the public of Hertfordshire, the police service as a whole and his former colleagues, who act with professionalism and integrity.
His criminal behaviour damages the reputation of policing and represents a fundamental betrayal of the public and the values for which the police service stands.”
He is now barred from working in policing.
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said the force was “appalled” by his actions.
They added that Zielinski had already been suspended and would face misconduct proceedings.
“This behaviour is a gross breach of trust and falls far below the standards expected of a serving officer. His conviction and sentence reflect the seriousness of the offence.”
The victim is being supported by specialist officers.