Convicted officers continue to serve

London: More than 900 police officers continue to serve despite being convicted of crimes including violence, robbery and fraud.

Forces employ policemen and women with criminal records for assault, burglary, supplying drugs and perverting the course of justice.

Among them are several senior officers, including two detective chief inspectors and a chief inspector working for the Metropolitan Police.

In some cases continuing to employ officers appears to directly contradict government guidelines which insist on "proven integrity". They highlight that people with convictions for certain offences, including assault, dangerous driving and burglary, should not be recruited.

At least 944 serving officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) have a conviction. Most are for traffic offences such as speeding and drink-driving, but there are also offences of dishonesty and fraud.

Among the 944 are a Devon and Cornwall PC convicted of burglary as a teenager and officers in Essex convicted of dangerous driving, supplying cannabis and robbery.

A volunteer special constable continues to serve despite being convicted of swiping a set of car number plates and using them to steal petrol from service stations.

In Hertfordshire a sergeant was convicted of dangerous driving and a Kent PC has a 1998 conviction for perverting the course of justice.

Five Merseyside officers have been convicted of assault and another has a criminal record for causing death by careless driving. A North Wales officer was convicted of forgery and a Staffordshire Police inspector has a record for keeping a dangerous dog.

A Surrey Police detective constable was convicted of obstructing police while others have records for wounding, drink driving and animal cruelty.

The total figure was revealed by 32 of the 43 forces in England and Wales in response to requests under freedom of information laws. Many could not provide details of criminal records dating from before their staff joined, meaning the true figure is likely to be higher.

The Metropolitan Police, Britain's largest force, employed the most staff with convictions, 356 officers and 41 PCSOs. It was followed by Kent (49), Devon and Cornwall (44), Essex (42), South Yorkshire (35), Hampshire (31) and West Midlands (27). There are around 140,000 police officers, 15,000 PCSOs and 70,000 civilian staff in the 43 forces.

The figures emerged as a senior police officer insisted officers who resign before facing misconduct procedures are not being "let off the hook".

— Daily Mail