Police serving with criminal convictions

A Freedom of Information request sent to Beds Police uncovered that the officers are currently serving with convictions for assault and property damage, criminal damage, harrassment and common assault.

Two of the officers were convicted before they were employed by the force.

It is unclear what rank the officers hold.

A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: “When recruiting officers we follow national guidance and all officers and staff are subjected to in-depth vetting procedures.

“In line with national policy all candidates are required to disclose any previous convictions or cautions they may have received.

“Each candidate’s application is then assessed individually taking into consideration the gravity of the disclosed offence, the time lapsed and the individual’s age at the time of the offence.

“The decision as to whether the candidate can then join the force is based on this processes.

“If an officer is convicted of a criminal offence while employed by Bedfordshire Police they become the subject of a gross misconduct hearing which is presided over by a member of the force’s senior command, another senior officer and an independent Home Office-approved representative.

“This board will decide each case on the evidence presented and can result in the officer being dismissed.”

Since 2008, two Beds Police officers have either been dismissed or resigned following criminal convictions for drink driving and assault.

Information gathered via the Freedom of Information Act also revealed that a special constable from Bedfordshire Police resigned following a complaint over their behaviour on Facebook.

The officer was one of more than 150 across the UK facing disciplinary action over the past three years according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Chief Constable Mike Cunningham, of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said while officers have a right to privacy, they should be “aware of the risk they are subject to when they identify themselves as being a member of the service”.