At a time when the police are targeting any misdemeanor made by a member of the public, it transpires that some of their number are themselves convicted criminals, yet they are still entrusted with the power to deal with the public. This is completely unacceptable, although to be honest, with Jacqui Smith’s track record, I am not completely surprised.
Under Jacqui Smith’s tenure each time the police want more powers to persecute the public they get them, irrespective of what this means to the civil liberties of the individual (Tasers, Prostitution, DNA etc). I am not anti-police, far from it, but if I am going to be investigated by a police officer, he had better have a record as clean as my own. That said, I am firmly against the police gaining ever more powers to spy on every citizen in the country, irrespective of whether there are grounds for such intrusion. It is completely unacceptable and implies that we are all suspects.
Just who are the police serving? Public confidence in the police service will not come by placing ‘plastic’ policemen (PCSO’s) in the front line, whilst experienced officers are searching databases looking for criminal intent or hiding in their comfortable and often, very expensive motor cars. In fact, where are the 160,000 police officers?
According to the LibDems, information gathered using the Freedom of Information Act, indicates that more than half of the 1,063 convictions admitted to by police forces that responded to the FOI request related to speeding or other motoring offences. However, what is particularly shocking, is the fact that some 77 officers have convictions for violence and 96 for dishonesty. How is the public supposed to retain faith in the police force of this country if they retain officers that have been convicted of criminal acts such as these? It is worth noting that the quoted figures are likely to be lower that the actual numbers reported given only 41 of the 51 police forces responded.
According to the LibDems, offences included a serious assault in Durham and four incidents of drug possession in Surrey. What is perhaps more shameful, is rather that condemning, the Police Federation sought to defend these officers. Granted, it is a small number when compared with the 160,000 police officers in the service, but, what is undeniable, is the fact that these dodgy coppers have besmirched the service they are supposed to represent and in doing so, cast a shadow over the police officers that do abide by the law.
In my view, this is shameful, Jacqui Smith should try and do something useful during her term in office, (which, mercifully, is likely to be quite short) and that would be to ensure that these officers convicted of a criminal offence are immediately thrown out of the police service.
March 22nd, 2009 at 1:47 am
It just shows how out of touch I am. I stupidly thought that like the armed forces (if that hasn’t changed too), you cannot get into the police force with a criminal conviction? Has that changed or did they all commit these offences whilst police officers? Then again that is even worse.
I am especially shocked by the drugs, violence and dishonesty. What use is a copper that is dishonest? If I were arrested by one I’d certainly want to use that information in my defence, after all it is taken as par for the course in court that the police officer’s word is worth more than a member of the public’s. Motoring offences are one thing, but these others are serious crimes.
I think the police force went downhill when they removed the height requirements.
March 22nd, 2009 at 10:46 am
@ Charlie: I think the whole thing is appalling. There was a time if an officer as much as got charged for drink driving, they would lose their jobs. As I understand it, the offences were committed whilst they were serving police officers and it is very worrying indeed. Apparently, a Barrister could ask a police officer if they had ever been found guilty of a criminal offence, but how many would bother.
Standards have dropped in terms of recruitment and results. You try getting a fraud investigated, burglary etc., they are just not interested. Drugs, violence and dishonesty, why are the honest cops, or those that haven’t been caught yet, not up in arms about the minority that call their “service” into disrepute? Unless they think it is okay for police criminals to police other criminals. If Jacqui Smith had anything about her, she would deal with it decisively, but I won’t hold my breath.
April 11th, 2009 at 1:04 am
It all went downhill when they removed the need for qualifications to join the police!
a suspect in a recent case involving myself got away with a life of crime solely because the police couldn’t be bothered to get the evidence. This results in a recorded complaint for 2 counts of negligence, and one for incivility. Local resolution was a “learning curve” - yeah, right.
The same suspect got off with another case involving my son. This resulted in another recorded complaint for negligence, one for failing to follow guidelines, and now one for perjury by the police. From my experience, a lot of dishonesty came from the sergeants and inspectors, and was obviously a “learning curve” for the constables!! I’ll be moving from the Isle of Wight soon I feel.
April 11th, 2009 at 9:25 am
@ Anne: Alas I feel you are not alone in terms of the Police determining what they will and will not do. Their first line for dealing with the public now appears to be PCSO’s, not matter how well intentioned they may be, they are just not up to it, in terms of knowledge or authority.
I made a complaint around 2 years ago about the Police refusing to act in a case of fraud. They knew who the suspects were, had agreed to arrest them and then, at the last minute, pulled out. Eventually a Police Inspector came to visit me for 20 minutes, during the first 10; he told me how lucky I was that an important person like himself, came out to see me. He actually said that he rarely, if ever, meets the public. For god sake, he would be a middle manager in any private company, so just who the hell do these guys think they are. Politicians’ are to blame because they turn a blind eye on Police failures, so long as they get the statistics down.
The other issue, as you say, is that they have removed many of the qualifications for new recruits, whilst placing ‘fast track’, well educated, but socially naive people in charge of the few experienced officers we have left. Little wonder this country is in such a mess.
April 11th, 2009 at 10:25 am
This is gods honest truth. A friend of mine has a sister (whom she hates by the way)who is a police officer. The said police officer was having an affair with a male colleague from work. She therefore wanted her husband out of the way, so to speak. She persuaded her son to stab her husband, which was dutifully done completely premeditated. The said husband did not die and made a full recovery. The son got off completely with no charge - I can only assume because his mother was a police officer. The really disturbing thing is THE SON IS PRESENTLY AT HENDON DOING HIS POLICE TRAINING!!!
April 11th, 2009 at 10:47 am
@ Anne: There was a time when I would have found your story a little far-fetched. However, that is no longer the case; the Police are a law unto themselves. They pick and choose what they will investigate, they have utter contempt for the people they are duty bound to protect, and they have gone from a Police ‘Service’ back to a Police ‘Force’. When you witness on TV a Police Officer making what appears to be an unprovoked and violent attack on an innocent newspaper seller, whilst fellow officers stand around doing nothing, it must make everyone question the integrity and honesty of the Police.
Your case and recent history suggests that the Police have become a ‘club’ where they protect their own irrespective of whether the individual(s) are acting lawfully or not. It is appalling, when the publics faith in the Police is waning, there is a real possibility of trouble on the streets of the UK. Where did honesty, integrity and accountability go. That said, if you look at our politicians, they lack any of these three attributes, therefore it is little wonder that the Police have become institutionally alike.
July 20th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I cant believe you people harping on about whether some of the police have criminal records, you dont know the history of that individual officer so you cant comment. for instance i’m 32 and was convicted of 2 counts of theft 1 count of going equiped and absconding from court when i was just 18, I am now a completely different person and abhor anyone who commits these or any other crimes and i also work with young offenders and have acted as an appropriate adult for the YOT at the local police station. as for the police themselves well id like to see you whinging people try and do their jobs, because of all the poxy liberal bull in the world the police have less rights and power than the scum roming our streets.
And once again it just shows how out of the thousands of hardworking officers in this country putting their lifes on the line for peoples safety on a daily basis it only takes one or two doing something underhand to shape public opinion (thanks to rags like the sun and the mirror) hey why dont we all believe what we read!!!!
did it occur to you that whether its a seasoned copper or a pcso on the beat they are just as tied up in red tape caused by bleeding hearts and unable to do much more than yell STOP OR I’LL SHOT STOP AGAIN!!
I think youll find the regulars are put on more specific arrest producing duty. Although its majoritively a waste of time as all the hard work is invariable wasted when some souless solicitor will get the perps off anyhow. Which is more than likely why you find that the police dont allway follow everything through–you got to pick the battles you can win - its one thing knowing someone did the crime but proving it in court is a bitch - look at OJ!!
so to wrap up my rant heres some food for thought, most of the kids (boys and girls) that i work with who have various degrees of convictions go on to become your mechanic, nursery worker, sparky the list goes on.
and bare in mind that so many of our soldiers that come home do so as nothing more than justified murderers killing to defend what, our freedom, i dont think so , our economy is a bit more like it - oil-money-business - end of.
dont get me wrong though we should all support the individual squadie as he/she is dodging a case of lead poisoning while having to do our governments bidding.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:03 pm
The heading leads you to believe that you are able to vote on this.