On February 9, Jack Addis, 63, of no fixed address, and Jeremy Laxton, 62, of Lincolnshire, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Both retired from the Metropolitan Police Service more than a decade ago.

Addis is accused of conspiring to distribute or display indecent images of children.

Laxton faces three counts of conspiracy to distribute or show indecent images of children, three counts of making indecent photos of a child, possession of prohibited images of a child, possession of extreme pornographic images, and intentionally encouraging or assisting an offender (misconduct in public office).

The alleged offences occurred between January 1, 2018 and September 20, 2021.

Laxton was apprehended in September 2021, and Addis was apprehended in November 2021.

The Met said in a statement that the charges were brought after a “lengthy and complex” investigation into Richard Watkinson, 49, a serving Met Chief Inspector for neighbourhood policing at the West Area Command unit.

Watkinson was discovered dead in Buckinghamshire on the day he was due to appear in court to answer charges of conspiracy to distribute or show indecent images of children, three counts of making indecent photos of a child, voyeurism, and two counts of misconduct in public office.

His death is being investigated as mysterious but not suspicious. An inquest has begun and been adjourned.