Police officers with convictions for gun crimes, benefit fraud and violent attacks are still serving, it emerged last night.The offences include discharging a firearm, possession of a cannabis plant, being drunk and disorderly, assault and theft. Many of the crimes took place while the officers were in post, supposedly protecting the public.
Last night experts said the public would be alarmed by the revelations, which point to a fall in standards. MPs said they raised 'serious questions' over whether courts can trust the evidence given by police convicted of dishonesty.
Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Chris Huhne said: 'The public will be rightly concerned that there are serving police officers who have committed crimes as serious as assault and firearms offences. Serious questions arise over whether the criminal courts can trust the evidence given by police officers who have committed benefit fraud.'
David Green, director of the Civitas think-tank, said: 'Why are people convicted of crimes against civilians being allowed to remain in the police service? t is also surely inappropriate that people who have been convicted of serious crimes such as theft and dishonesty should be permitted to hold such a job.'