44 POLICE OFFICERS IN GREATER MANCHESTER HAVE CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

3.33.00pm GMT Thu 12th Mar 2009

Andrew Stunell talks with a local Community Support Officer

Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell has described as "shocking" new research revealed by the Liberal Democrats, that there are 44 Police Officers in Greater Manchester with a criminal conviction, amongst a total of 174 across the North West and over 1,000 nationally.

The figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show that the 44 officers in Greater Manchester have a variety of convictions, including for motoring offences, violence against the person, and public misconduct in office.

None of the officers in Greater Manchester have been dismissed following their conviction.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"These new figures are shocking, and people will find it hard to understand how an officer convicted of a criminal offence is in a position to effectively perform his or her duties.

"It seems civilian staff working for the Police are more likely to be sacked for criminal behaviour than are police officers, which cannot be right."

Responding to Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, who has argued that each case should be judged on its merits, Andrew said:

"Of course each case must be looked at individually, but we now know that when they do the result 44 times out of 44 is the criminal keeps the job. That points to a sloppy approach that undermines the trust and credibility of our local Police.

"It is important for the public to have faith in the people who are meant to be protecting them, and it is surely in the interest of the vast majority of police officers who are a credit to their profession that their reputation should not be damaged by a small minority who quite simply should no longer be in the job."

ENDS