Figures released under the Freedom of Information act show the number of serving North Wales Police officers with criminal convictionsMore than two dozen serving police officers in North Wales have convictions for crimes including assault, animal cruelty and being drunk in charge of a vehicle.A total of 26 officers continue to serve with North Wales Police despite having a conviction.The figures have come to light following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Glasnost UK, an independent campaign group calling for “fresh perspectives upon social and cultural issues”.READ: North Wales Police have let all smokers in cars with kids off the hookNorth Wales Police have 1,478 officers registered with the force and, according to the FOI, 14 had convictions before being hired and 12 officers have been kept on after being convicted of crimes.North Wales Police said they had “vigorous recruitment vetting procedures which include a conviction check”.In 2008 two serving officers kept their jobs despite being caught on video beating dogs. They were fined 10 days pay.North Wales Police Federation chair Simon Newport said: “Police officers are not above the law and our integrity has to be paramount for trust and confidence. Should any officer be a suspect in a criminal matter it is double jeopardy for the officer involved. First and foremost they go through the criminal side and they are treated no different.READ: North Wales taxi drivers’ assault, abuse and kidnap ordeals“Only once criminal proceedings are over is there a misconduct hearing with a deputy chief constable, a superintendent and a layperson. They decide if the officer remains in employment.”The offences revealed are:Handling stolen goods – one officer with conviction prior to joiningAssault – one officer with conviction prior to joiningBreach of peace – one officer with conviction prior to joiningIn charge of a vehicle with excess alcohol – one officer with conviction since joiningFraud under the benefit act – one officer with conviction prior to joiningPossession of a controlled drug – one officer with conviction prior to joiningDrunk and disorderly – two officers with conviction prior to joiningCommon assault – one officer with conviction since joiningObtaining property by deception – one officer with conviction prior to joiningSpeeding (to the extent of disqualification) – three officers with convictions since joiningCruelty to animals – two officers with convictions since joiningCriminal damage – two officers with convictions prior to joining, one sinceData protection offence – two officers with conviction since joiningDriving without insurance – two officers with conviction prior to joiningDriving without due care and attention – one officer with conviction since joiningViolence against person – one officer with conviction since joiningCareless driving – one officer with conviction since joiningDriving while using mobile phone – one officer with conviction since joiningWhat are your views on this story? Have your say using our new commenting feature below
Such conduct by the Police has been going on since the day that Sir Robert Peel's day when the Protectors of the People were inaugerated. Bribery, corruption, assaults, larceny, fraud, and every other type of criminal offence has been part of the daily activity of many Officers for years. The sad thing is that such happenings are "overlooked" by many of their colleagues and supervisors not wanting to have the "honest" reputation of the Force besmirched. ANY POLICE OFFICER COMMITTING ANY OFFENCE AGAINST THE LAW OF THE LAND, OR THE COMMUNITY, SHOULD BE PROSECUTED, FINED OR IMPRISONED AND LOSE THEIR JOB AND ANY ASSOCIATED BENFIT SUCH AS PENSION RIGHTS. As in Trial by Jury, let the PUNISHMENT FIT THE CRIME,
Such conduct by the Police has been going on since the day that Sir Robert Peel's day when the Protectors of the People were inaugerated. Bribery, corruption, assaults, larceny, fraud, and every other type of criminal offence has been part of the daily activity of many Officers for years. The sad thing is that such happenings are "overlooked" by many of their colleagues and supervisors not wanting to have the "honest" reputation of the Force besmirched.
ANY POLICE OFFICER COMMITTING ANY OFFENCE AGAINST THE LAW OF THE LAND, OR THE COMMUNITY, SHOULD BE PROSECUTED, FINED OR IMPRISONED AND LOSE THEIR JOB AND ANY ASSOCIATED BENFIT SUCH AS PENSION RIGHTS.
As in Trial by Jury, let the PUNISHMENT FIT THE CRIME,