The Nigerian British policewoman facing the sack for allegedly having sex on the Big Brother Naija was campaigning for votes on Tuesday despite backlash over her inclusion in the reality TV show, reports Daily Mail Online.
PC Khafi Kareem, 29, from the Metropolitan Police, was warned not to take part in Big Brother Naija this year, but went on the show anyway and could now face disciplinary action.
But she was granted unpaid leave and entered the show, in which she has formed a relationship with fellow contestant Ekpata Gedoni, 31.
Audiences in Nigeria have been caught up in their liaisons, of which there has been three, but she will now be the subject of an investigation by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards.
Colleagues fear she has tarnished the force’s reputation, but on Tuesday she posted an appeal for votes on her Instagram.
She urged people to back ‘TEAMKHAFI’ and shared a link through which to vote and shared a statement from the show’s management which described her as ‘a proud black female police officer’ as it warned that legal action was being considered.
The officer was used as a ‘poster girl’ for the Met, posing alongside Met Commissioner Cressida Dick to encourage black and female recruitment and celebrate 100 years of women in the force.
One colleague said: “She’s a serving British police officer – it’s outrageous. She asked permission to go on the show but, when her request was refused, she went anyway.
“Her out-of-office email reply blatantly says that she is away from work, yet no one does anything.
“Other officers working with her are furious that she can just disobey orders then swan off the Africa and tarnish the reputation of the force.”
Miss Kareem began as a PC at Lambeth station in 2015 after four years spent as a part-time special constable.
The officer, who has spoken against stop-and-search, joined up after a 16-year-old friend was stabbed to death.
The PC worked as a spotter at airports, looking for possible victims of female genital mutilation (FGM).
She also acted as a translator as she speaks French, Italian and her native Yoruba. However, she was moved from the FGM team after she argued with colleagues.
Publicity material for the programme showed Miss Kareem in her uniform, branding her a talented singer and dancer.
The material says of Miss Kareem: ‘Police officer Khafi Kareem believes that you can have it all if you believe in yourself.
‘She is not only hoping to win the prize money but she wants the exposure that being in Big Brother Naija House brings so that she can do societal good.’
Her romance with Mr. Gedoni has been gripping viewers of the show, which began on June 30.
News websites published footage of the couple appearing to be in an act of congress beneath the sheets.
One article said: ‘There are now fears that Khafi may leave Big Brother Naija House pregnant as she and lovebird Gedoni continued their sizzling romance. The cameras caught them for the third time overnight as other housemates were dead asleep.
“The footage, now trending, showed the lovebirds moving their bodies in ecstasy under the sheets.
“Gedoni and Khafi first romped in the house on Saturday, July 20 and then again on Tuesday, July 23.”
Her participation has left her fellow officers unimpressed. Another Met source said: “There should be no way back for her from this and her superiors will have to act.
“She fitted the mould perfectly for how the modern force wants to portray itself but seems to have got a bit too big for her boots.
“It’s hard to see how can she argue that she hasn’t brought the force into disrepute.”
A Met spokesman said Monday night: “The Met does not support the officer’s appearance nor does she represent the Met whilst appearing on the show.
“All officers have a duty to behave with professionalism and in a manner that does not bring the Met into disrepute whether on or off duty.
“Those who do not behave professionally risk breaching police standards of professional behaviour, and may be dealt with by way of misconduct proceedings.”
