MORE THAN 900 POLICE HAVE A CRIMINAL PAST

by Mark Reynolds, theunhivedmind.com
January 3rd 2012

Forces across England and Wales employ police with convictions

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/293215/More-than-900-police-have-a-criminal-past

MORE than 900 serving police officers and community support officers have a criminal record, official figures revealed yesterday.

Forces across England and Wales employ police with convictions including burglary, causing death by careless driving, robbery, supplying drugs, domestic violence, forgery and perverting the course of justice.

Those with criminal records include senior officers. Among them are two detective chief inspectors and one chief inspector, all working for the Metropolitan Police. A PC in the Devon and Cornwall force was convicted of burglary as a teenager.

At least 944 police officers and community support officers have a conviction, according to figures released by 33 of the 43 forces in England and Wales in response to Freedom of Information requests.

Many forces could not provide details of criminal records dating from before staff joined the police, so the true figure will be significantly higher.

The revelations sparked anger from politicians and justice campaigners.

Forces across England and Wales employ police with convictions

Philip Davies, a Conservative MP with a particular interest in law and order, said: “It seems very difficult to have people who are there to uphold the law and enforce the law who at the same time have been serious breakers of the law. You would think past convictions would stop any application at the first stage.”

The Liberal Democrats described the fact that so many officers with criminal convictions are keeping their jobs as “staggering”.

But Simon Reed, vice-chairman of the Police Federation which represents rank-and-file officers in England and Wales, said: “Anyone applying to become a police officer must declare if they have any past convictions.

“Each application is then looked at individually and an assessment made by the force regarding suitability. If someone was foolish and committed a juvenile offence it does not necessarily mean they should be banned from becoming a police officer for life.”

The Metropolitan Police, Britain’s largest force, topped the list with 356 officers and 41 PCSOs with past convictions. It was followed by Kent Police (49), Devon and Cornwall (44), Essex (42), South Yorkshire (35), Hampshire (31) and West Midlands (27), although not all the figures were directly comparable.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission and the Home Office both declined to comment.

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