A DETECTIVE sergeant has been demoted and five PC reprimanded for aggressively smashing their way into a car in Edmonton.

The Enfield Crime Squad officers used baseball bats and a pick axe handle, against Metropolitan Police regulations, during the stop on the suspected stolen car on June 3, 2008.

A misconduct hearing judged the DS should be demoted to a detective constable for “failure to properly supervise” the five PCs.

They in turn were found to have “used more force than was reasonable or necessary to affect the stop by using a non issue baseball bat, hitting the rear offside window causing it to smash”.

Commander Peter Spindler, of the Metropolitan Police directorate of professional standards, said: "The behaviour displayed by the six officers that day was unacceptable and as such the board has rightly sanctioned them for it.

"The officers abused their position of trust and authority and by doing so breached the high professional standards expected by the public and the vast majority of outstanding MPS officers and staff who carry out their service to the public with professionalism and integrity."

The allegations emerged from an internal investigation into allegations of misconduct at Edmonton police station, where the crime squad is based.

During the undercover probe, further allegations of wrongdoing came to light, including the way the car stop was carried out.

Sixteen officers and one member of police staff were investigated, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided in December last year there was not enough evidence to bring charges.

Currently, seven officers remain suspended from duty and three officers are on restricted duties as investigations into other alleged misconduct continues.