Police officers who secretly joined a bikie gang are facing an urgent inquiry after it was revealed they were members of an outlaw motorcycle group.
As many as 12 Western Australian police officers joined Gunfighters MC when it recently established a chapter in Perth, the West Australian reported.
Gunfighters MC is a police-only bikie gang with hundreds of members and chapters in North America, Europe, Africa and now Australia.
As many as twelve Western Australian police officers joined Gunfighters MC when it established a chapter in Perth
Gunfighters MC was established in the United States in 2005 and describes itself as a 'fraternal organization for law enforcement officers who share a passion for riding motorcycles'.
The new Perth chapter is not suspected of any criminal activity and a post on the club's website says all members abide by the law and do not seek conflict with other bikie gangs.
The officers who joined the gang have since left after their membership was brought to the attention of WA Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan.
Gunfighters MC was established in North America in 2005 and describes itself as a 'fraternal organization for law enforcement officers who share a passion for riding motorcycles'
The WA Police Commissioner has launched an inquiry into the officers' membership with the club
The officers had kept their membership a secret from police bosses and even the state's organised crime unit was not aware they had joined the club.
Mr O'Callaghan said: 'While I have been advised all serving police officers have since resigned their membership of the Gunfighters Motorcycle Club, these officers are being served a letter formally advising that membership of such a club has the potential to be in breach of our code of conduct.
'I have also ordered an inquiry to examine the conduct of the officers during their association with this club and should that investigation identify any misconduct or breaches of Police Force regulations, then action will be taken.'
A post on the club's website describes the formation of the club in 2005 as well as the activities its members engage in.
It says: 'The Gunfighters Motorcycle Club was founded in 2005 by a group of active and retired law enforcement officers.'
The post continues: 'These brilliant and insightful men joined together to celebrate our Brotherhood.
The Gunfighters patch features a skull which represents 'undying respect for officers' and two pistols which represent an officer's 'tools of the trade'
'We accept all cruisers, party with supporting clubs, and enjoy the brotherhood. That is the unbreakable bond that keeps us together.'
The club's black and white patch features a skull wearing a sheriff's hat and holding two revolver pistols.
The club's website says that the skull represents an 'undying respect for all law enforcement officers' while the guns represent an officer's 'tools of the trade'.