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NEWS > 05 September 2006

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ic Liverpool - Southport,Engla
05 September 2006
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48 police officers have crimin

FORTY-EIGHT Merseyside police officers have been allowed to keep their jobs despite being convicted of criminal offences.

The officers have carried on serving despite a variety of convictions which include assault, possession of drugs and holding an offensive weapon.

More than half of the 59 convictions shared among the 48 police officers are for driving offences, including 20 for drinking and driving.

Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle last night branded the findings astonishing and said he would be raising the matter with Merseyside Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe.

Pauline Fielding, regional chairwoman of RoadPeace, which represents families of people bereaved by road crashes, said it was inexcusable that any officer would put lives at risk by driving while over the limit.


Mrs Fielding, whose 18-year-old son, Andrew, was killed in a hitand-run crash in 1994, added: "Police officers are supposed to be setting an example. If they have been convicted for drink-driving, then they have lost the trust of the people they are serving. I find it inexcusable that anyone would drink-drive, let alone a police officer.


"Those who get behind the wheel of a car after having a drink should be dealt with very seriously.


"I know the Chief Constable is committed to cutting deaths on the roads and the number is falling in Merseyside. But there is no excuse for anyone drink-driving."


Information obtained by the Liverpool Daily Post under the Freedom of Information Act shows a total of 59 convictions are recorded in the personnel files of police officers.


The Daily Post asked for the number of officers with criminal convictions, including details of the convictions.


The force said it would have to charge thousands of pounds for a comprehensive sweep of all its staff, but agreed to release details for front-line officers.

Drink-driving was the most common offence, with 20 recorded, along with 12 for document offences.

A further nine officers have resigned as a result of being convicted of drinking and driving, the force said last night.

Two convictions for possessing an offensive weapon, one of possession of drugs and one of theft are also recorded.

Eight convictions for driving without due care and attention are recorded, three for failing to stop, five for assault and three for public order offences.

Mr Kilfoyle said: "This is astonishing. To have police officers with convictions for drugs and possession of an offensive weapon upholding the law is nonsensical.

"If a doorman was convicted of these offences, they would be sacked under new regulations, so allowing police officers to remain in their jobs makes a mockery of the system.

"I hope that those officers with driving convictions have nothing to do with the transport side of the force.


"I will be raising this matter with the Chief Constable. It is unacceptable."


Last night, Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Helen King insisted that many of the convictions were historic.


She said: "Since 2003, no officer convicted of a criminal offence who has appeared before a misconduct panel has been allowed to keep their job.


"Furthermore, no officer convicted of a drink-driving offence since 1997 remains with Merseyside Police. Since that date, nine officers have been required to resign following drink-drive convictions.


"This in itself highlights the force's, and indeed the public's, shift in attitude towards drink-driving, which is now quite rightly viewed as a very serious offence.


"We expect the highest integrity from our officers and staff and require every individual to declare a conviction either during employment or on application to the job. A misconduct panel will always seek to ensure the high standards both we and the public expect are reflected in the sanctions given.

"If an officer is convicted of an offence and appears before a misconduct panel, a number of factors are taken into account. They include the nature and seriousness of the offence and any mitigating circumstances. Again, the overriding factor is ensuring we maintain and meet the high standards expected of us.

"Many of the convictions held by serving officers are historic. We currently have 48 officers with criminal convictions."

Lancashire Police has two police officers with drink-driving convictions, out of eight officers with convictions.

Two of those convictions are for animal cruelty.

Neither force provided convictions other than criminal ones, and Merseyside has admitted that it does not automatically receive notification of offences such as unlicensed use of a television.

Speaking last month about the impact drink-driving has on lives, Mike McAndrew, of the Superintendents' Association, said: "The reality is that drink-driving kills people.

"My personal view is that, if the level (of alcohol) is significantly over the limit, there can be no doubt that the officer knew what they were doing. Unless there were exemplary circumstances, the appropriate punishment is for them to lose their job."


A spokesman for the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: "We do not condone drink-driving, regardless of the occupation of the individual.


"It is only right that higher standards are expected of a police officer. However, while each case should be monitored and assessed by senior officers, it is clearly the case that drink-driving in the police is the exception rather than the rule."


In February, the Daily Post revealed at least seven officers with criminal convictions were still serving in the Merseyside force, despite some of them lying about their past when they applied for jobs.


The officers slipped through the net when civilian workers were in charge of recruitment.
 

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