FOUL language used by some Wiltshire Police officers on a prime-time documentary fell short of expectations, the force’s chief constable has admitted.

But Kier Pritchard said backed the officers, saying they were doing a good job under incredible pressure.

The Swindon Advertiser understands that a small number of officers were censured by their bosses, after they were filmed using obscenities in Channel 4 documentary 999 What’s Your Emergency?

The TV favourite has spent the past two series following emergency crews in Wiltshire, charting the pressures the police and ambulance services find themselves under.

It shows police officers and 999 control room staff being subjected to shocking verbal abuse. In an episode this month, one teen hurled a stream of expletives at officers before shouting "piggie-wiggies" from behind his cell door at Gablecross.

But Mr Pritchard, a Kingsdown School alumnus who was this month confirmed as Wiltshire’s permanent chief constable, admitted some of the fruitier language used by officers on the programme had been unacceptable.

“My regret is that some of the language has fallen below what i would expect us to be describing on a Channel 4 documentary,” he said.

“I’d rather some of that language had not been used and that’s something I will have to live with. I’m sure people were drawn into a false sense of security in some of those conversations. We live and learn.

“But the reality is that we do a good job. It’s a tough job and these are real people delivering policing, so that is just a micro-example of how people live their lives.

“I think if what it’s done is encourage people into playing their part to deliver policing, whether as an officer, a special constable, a volunteer or a member of police staff, then it’s served its purpose.”

“I’m proud of the way our people displayed themselves on the documentary: massively professional and hugely competent. I think we've shone in all the episodes I have seen.”

The Channel 4 series has featured some of the demands facing modern police forces, as funding cuts and growing demands on officers begin to bite.

TV cameras have followed crews as they deal with people in the throes of a mental health crisis or domestic arguments.

Mr Pritchard said the series had resulted in a spike in applications for jobs in the Wiltshire Police control room, taking 999 and 101 calls.

“People have been impressed by the staff members’ professionalism,” he said.

“I think the programme has also raised the awareness of some of the challenges we are facing.

“People have been surprised by the breadth of the role the police have to participate in around looked after children, vulnerable people and mental health.”