Tobogganing bobbies scolded for riot-shield rides

[jeff of pa]

LONDON (AP) -- Some British bobbies have been reprimanded after they used their riot shields as makeshift sleds during the country's cold snap.

A passer-by filmed the bobbies goofing around on a snowy hill in Oxford and posted the clip on YouTube. It shows a policeman barreling downhill while another shouts, "Whatever happens, keep smiling!"

Rick Latham, who filmed the scene on Tuesday, said he was pleasantly surprised by the officers' actions. He thought they were going to scold him for trying to slide down the hill in a kayak.

Thames Valley Police Superintendent Andrew Murray said Thursday he had told the officers "that tobogganing on duty, on police equipment and at taxpayers' expense is a very bad idea."

But he added that snow brings "out the child in all of us."