Forty-seven police officers across Kent have criminal convictions
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by Alex Claridge
Forty-seven serving police officers
in the county, including three east Kent constables, have criminal
convictions, the Gazette and Faversham News can exclusively
reveal.
Crimes committed include assaults,
drink-driving, criminal damage, failing to report an accident,
speeding and using a mobile phone while driving.
One east Kent constable, whose
patch includes Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay, has a
conviction for perverting the course of justice.
The revelations come after a
Freedom of Information Act request.
Other information released by Kent
Police shows that as of January 1, 2010 there were 16 officers up
to rank of inspector suspended from their jobs.
Reasons for suspensions included
problems with honesty and integrity, offences of disreputable
conduct and the commission of crimes.
And since May last year, two
constables and two sergeants in the county have been sacked for
assault, ticket touting, breaching the Data Protection Act and
criminal damage.
In a statement ACC Allyn
Thomas said: “We expect the highest standards from our officers and
staff.
“Our staff are expected to work to
the standard of professional behaviour which upholds honesty and
integrity, authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity
and use of restraint.
“We regularly check our staff are
carrying out their duties appropriately and we have in place
rigorous procedures if officers or staff fail to meet the required
standard.
“Our professional standards team
have a strict protocol to follow when undertaking an internal
investigation, which would run alongside any criminal proceedings
if necessary.
“No one is above the law and when
individuals have failed to maintain the standards that we expect or
have abused the position of trust placed upon them, we will act
accordingly and enforce the law.”
Mr Thomas went on: “The fact we
have removed officers from Kent Police shows that there are
occasions where dismissal has been the only appropriate course of
action.
“Officers and staff who break the
law but do not lose their jobs are considered on a case-by-case
basis and could be removed from certain roles or limited to certain
duties for a period of time."
Read the full story in this
week's Kentish Gazette.
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Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk
or write to Gazette House, Estuary View Business Park,
Whitstable, CT5 3SE.
Wednesday, March 03 2010
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