TWENTY one police officers and PCSO’s currently serving with Cheshire Police have convictions, a freedom of information request has revealed.

 

The freedom of information request, sent to all police forces in the UK by the Press Association, also revealed that eight officers at Cheshire Police had been convicted of criminal offences since 2012.

 

Among the eight that had been convicted in the last three years was a male detective constable who was convicted of possession of a class A drug and misconduct in public office in December 2012, a male police constable who was cautioned for misconduct in public office for ‘sexual activity’ in 2013, and another who was cautioned for forging a prescription in 2014.

 

Also in 2014, a female detective constable was given a restraining order and fined for harassment for sending threatening text messages, a male detective constable was cautioned for a public order offence after getting involved in a fracas, a male PC was convicted of criminal damage and another PC was convicted of shoplifting.

 

In 2015, a male PC was convicted of misconduct in public office for ‘sexual advances.’

 

Cheshire Police refused to name the officers because it would breach data protection laws.

 

Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer, the National Police Chiefs' Council's lead on professional standards and ethics, said: "One year on, the code of ethics is now well embedded across the service and clearly sets out the standards of professional behaviour expected of officers and staff.

 

"When members of the service fall short of these standards, well established and rigorous processes are in place to ensure appropriate action is taken.

 

"The decision by a force to retain someone with a conviction will have been carefully considered and only taken following a clear, national and regulated process."

 

A Home Office spokesman said: "The vast majority of police officers in this country do their job honestly and with integrity. They put themselves in harm's way to protect the public. But the good work of the majority threatens to be damaged by a continuing series of events and revelations relating to police conduct.