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Number of cops with convictions is revealed

Mar 15 2009 by Tom Mullen, Sunday Sun

THE total number of cops with criminal convictions is laid bare by the Sunday Sun today.

Forty-nine police officers have been allowed to keep their jobs despite committing serious crimes including burglary and assault, we have learned.

Beat bobbies have also been caught handling stolen goods, drink-driving, speeding and sending offensive texts.

And, over the last five years, a further 10 cops were dismissed for crimes including actual bodily harm, possession of drugs, indecency and even one case of manslaughter.

The shocking data — uncovered under the Freedom of Information Act — was slammed by the Tax Payers Alliance pressure group.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the group, said: “These people are supposed to be fighting crime and keeping us safe, and it is wrong that many of them have committed offences that merit a jail sentence.

“There should be a ban on any police officer having a criminal record. These convictions are extremely worrying and are damaging taxpayers’ confidence in the police.”

Cumbria Constabulary has the most convicted cops, with 19 including drunk and disorderly and six reckless driving charges.

Next on the list is Cleveland, with 15 convictions including four excess alcohol and three dangerous driving offences.

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