CRIMINAL records are held by a number of serving police officers at Hertfordshire Constabulary, and it has emerged they got their convictions WHILE working for the force.

The revelation came to light after a request under the Freedom of Information Act, which forced the constabulary to release details of the crimes committed by serving police officers.

The information showed of the 11 officers convicted of criminal and motoring offences, five were guilty of drink-driving, three of speeding, one each for driving without a licence and driving without insurance and a sergeant was convicted for dangerous driving.

Despite being convicted while employed by the force, none of the 11 have been sacked.

And it is possible more serving officers could have previous criminal records, as a police spokeswoman said: “It is not possible to provide data on officers who may have joined the Constabulary with previous convictions.”

She said the sergeant with a criminal record was “convicted for dangerous driving almost four years ago after being involved in a collision whilst responding to an emergency call.

“Following a full investigation the officer was prosecuted and convicted for a dangerous driving offence and was also subjected to disciplinary action.

“We believe that this matter was dealt with both by the courts and through our internal investigation and disciplinary procedures and it would be wholly inappropriate to comment any further.”

“Hertfordshire Constabulary takes robust action when dealing with police officers or staff who break the law, and will always seek to take disciplinary action in addition to the outcome of a conviction,” she added.

The figures were revealed following an FoI request to forces around the country by a national newspaper.

WH Times