STRUGGLED to find words suitable to start this. So here are the apparent facts: At least 944 serving officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) have a conviction, according to the figures released by 33 of the 43 forces in England and Wales in response to freedom of information requests.
I actually read this in a one paragraph item in the Eastern Daily Press. My researches have shown Norfolk has three such officers now. Over in Suffolk there are 13 according to the East Anglian Daily Times (sister of our own EDP) which carried a much larger report.
It will not surprise any who know me or those few who have read this blog that I have been shocked and disgusted by this news. It is all the worse for the fact that it come when we now know that our MPs have been stealing our money, bankers have fallen from exaltation to troughing, our major institutions and corporations continue to avoid paying tax, the taxman lets them off anyway, and the media which might defend the ordinary man has been exploiting him for a fast buck.
How can we have allowed a situation where police officers remain in post or are even hired with criminal convictions? Does that itself not tell us the nature of our problem? We have lost our moral compass.
OK our own Norfolk police chairman makes it clear that the majority of these are what were once called misdemeanours - traffic offences mostly and for which dismissal might be draconian. But many are serious crimes including perverting the course of justice! They carry custodial sentences.
Are we really saying that the young thug driving a shopping trolley through the window of a High Street store may be arrested and charged by an officer who has himself (herself?!) committed burglary or - ye heavens - perverted the course of justice? Is it any wonder that society has lost any respect for our police?
I agree that there may be offences, once classed as misdemeanours but today elevated (over-elevated?) to the status of criminal, that would not deserve of dismissal or required retirement. How many officers convicted of perverting justice or burglary or assault WHILE in service have been allowed to remain in office? I have read of one such case in a neighbouring area.
Is it not surely the case that where a criminal conviction occurs the case must be tested thus: "Does this officer remain a convincing and commendable person for the pursuit of offenders and the defence of the law?
And there are deep concerns:
- What about the morale of other officers who must work with and trust men whom, in different circumstances, they would have prosecuted?
- Are we not at risk of corruption if the probity and inviolability of convicted officers is degraded by their conviction?
- Is it in any way reasonable that such an officer can be relied on when giving evidence in court?
- Should a barrister be aware of the situation they have the ability to destroy the officer's credibility and influence the jury.
- What about CRB checks for other sensitive post workers? If a police officer is allowed to function having perverted justice how can we take more draconian action against others?
The dreadful possibility exists that this is some weird interpretation of the Human Rights Act. But there is no RIGHT to be a law officer - it is a privilege and responsibility which I maintain should be only for those of proven probity.
Muddled thinking exists all around us. The Police Federation took a rather strange defensive view which seemed to ignore the fact that this situation is an insult to lives and work of the thousands of decent, law-abiding and diligent officers who face unreasonable risks on a daily basis.
I have written to my MP, to the Norfolk Police Authority (excellent fast and sensitive response from the chairman) and to the Home Secretary, Theresa May to seek a change in practice. I think everyone who can should do so too.
There is an e-petition you can sign on the direct.gov site http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/26776
Or another at http://tinyurl.com/6t85uwa
Sources include: Guardian, Daily Mail (!), Eastern Daily Press, East Anglian Daily Times, Norfolk Police Authority and others.
