Your Worcester
Send your pics, videos and tip-offs to 80360, starting your message WN NEWS followed by a space. Or email us here »
Nine West Mercia police officers have criminal convictions
2:03pm Monday 4th February 2008
NINE serving West Mercia police officers have criminal convictions against their names.
A Freedom of Information request by your Worcester News revealed that of the nine, five convictions were received while the police constables were employed with the force, which covers Worcestershire and Herefordshire and currently employs a total of 2,489 officers of different ranks.
One conviction was for harassment, another for having no car insurance, and three for driving without due care and attention.
As of September 2007, four more already had convictions prior to their appointment with West Mercia. They include one for criminal damage, another for taking a motor vehicle without consent and two for public order offences.
In response to the figures, West Mercia said candidates who apply to be police officers are required to declare any criminal convictions and the force then checks the information supplied.
A spokeswoman said: "West Mercia Constabulary adopts Home Office policy when employing people with criminal convictions. Some minor convictions prior to employment with the force may be permissible but each case is looked at on merit and the age of the offence taken into consideration. Those people convicted of serious offences such as rape or murder would not be employed by the force.
"The number of serving police officers with criminal convictions working for West Mercia Constabulary equates to less than half of one per cent of the total workforce. We always seek to minimise risk to the public and staff are checked rigorously.
"Staff who have information about colleagues they suspect of wrongdoing are encouraged to use the force's Safecall confidential phone number to report their suspicions."
The current vetting procedure allows for periodic checks of staff once they are in the post.
The spokeswoman said officers who are convicted of an offence while employed with the force will be subject to internal disciplinary proceedings and their police career will be reviewed accordingly.
She said that any complaints from the public about police officers are thoroughly investigated by the force's professional standards department and, where appropriate, by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
- What do you think? Discuss this story in our Your Say section by clicking the 'discuss this' link at the top of this story or clicking here.
Your Say Your Worcester
Alan2, Worcester says...
3:28pm Mon 4 Feb 08
What on earth have we come to, why don't they run a recruiting campaign in Her Majesty's Prisons.
How would you like a copper to do you for "no car insurance" when he had been done himself for the same thing or doing you son/daughter for criminal damage when he had also been done for it. Or, how would you feel if you saw the guy that had pinched your car, walking around in a Police uniform a short time later.
We have gone truly mad.
Logik, worcester says...
4:11pm Mon 4 Feb 08
Logik, worcester says...
4:11pm Mon 4 Feb 08
Stan Parr, Pershore says...
2:03pm Tue 5 Feb 08
How many larger commercial enterprises could boast that level of crime-free employed staff?
In my book, in spite of various portrayals on the TV, the police are still "squeaky-clean" - lose that precept and our trust in them goes with it.
The English "Bobby" is respected around the world - long may that continue.
Stan Parr, Pershore says...
2:03pm Tue 5 Feb 08
How many larger commercial enterprises could boast that level of crime-free employed staff?
In my book, in spite of various portrayals on the TV, the police are still "squeaky-clean" - lose that precept and our trust in them goes with it.
The English "Bobby" is respected around the world - long may that continue.
Alan2, Worcester says...
3:18pm Tue 5 Feb 08
Almost 80 young men attended on the Thursday night.
On the Saturday afternoon, 4 attended at the Uniform Store in Lambeth to be measured up for their kit - the others having fallen by the wayside for various reasons. In other words 4 out of almost 80 got through and were accepted - a policy of nothing but the best.
Those were the days when to be a copper meant something, when they went through a rigorous selection process, when even a stain on the character of a distant relative meant the thumbs down and when you needed permission to marry and ones future wife was checked out also.
With anything like the convictions in this article - one would not have even bothered to apply.
How much different when, many years later the same man attended a course at Hendon Police College and was made aware of a new recruit going to visit his wife in Holloway Prison on a Saturday afternoon.
Im'e sorry Stan, at one time our Police were second to none in the world - now, I would find it difficult to compare them with any others - possibly with the exception of those in Amsterdam who are a disgrace by any meaningful standards.
Alan2, Worcester says...
3:18pm Tue 5 Feb 08
Almost 80 young men attended on the Thursday night.
On the Saturday afternoon, 4 attended at the Uniform Store in Lambeth to be measured up for their kit - the others having fallen by the wayside for various reasons. In other words 4 out of almost 80 got through and were accepted - a policy of nothing but the best.
Those were the days when to be a copper meant something, when they went through a rigorous selection process, when even a stain on the character of a distant relative meant the thumbs down and when you needed permission to marry and ones future wife was checked out also.
With anything like the convictions in this article - one would not have even bothered to apply.
How much different when, many years later the same man attended a course at Hendon Police College and was made aware of a new recruit going to visit his wife in Holloway Prison on a Saturday afternoon.
Im'e sorry Stan, at one time our Police were second to none in the world - now, I would find it difficult to compare them with any others - possibly with the exception of those in Amsterdam who are a disgrace by any meaningful standards.
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
7:12pm Tue 5 Feb 08
Unfortunately the Police now mirror society as a whole.
The exemplary standard of 'the British Bobby' required in the past has gone.
Maybe abroad they have a 'chocolate box' view of a bygone British era?
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
7:12pm Tue 5 Feb 08
Unfortunately the Police now mirror society as a whole.
The exemplary standard of 'the British Bobby' required in the past has gone.
Maybe abroad they have a 'chocolate box' view of a bygone British era?
Your sayYour Worcester
Add your comment
Register for a FREE Worcester News account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
In this section
- Hamlet celebrates being named best in county
- Fire put out at substation
- Man will not be able to sell ‘legal loophole’ home
- Fire at Worcester electricity substation
- Come and see my colourful paintings
- First phase of wheelie bins about to arrive
- Action group urges people to oppose 1,600 homes plan
- All-night party for retiring Cath
- Help to shape our healthcare
- Cut waste to cope with harder times
Essential Links
Sponsored Links
Editor's choice
Climb on board the Ark
THERE are a variety of ways in which you can help the Towards a Brighter Future appeal. Here's what you need to know.
FYI (fun, young and independent) Magazine for girls 16 to 19
FYI (fun, young and independent) -the intelligent girl’s online magazine, just click on the link and read this fab magazine online.
Why England didn’t qualify for Euro 2008?
Football, the greatest game ever played. It was invented by the English, played by the English and lost by the English, what a surprise!
My best friend
My best friend is caring and kind, She is the greatest friend you could ever find! There is nothing really that'll bring her down, She is a cheerful person and will never frown!
Pork Peanut and coriander salad cups
THIS is based on a savoury pork Thai dish called Galloping Horses served on top of fruit pieces.
What's On Live Travel Your Worcester
Last updated 19.32 with 3 incidents
- M40 Warwickshire » Traffic returned to normal
- CrossCountry Crosscountry » Delays of up to 50 minutes due to problem with lineside equipment
- First Great Western First Great Western » Replacement bus service running due to problem with lineside equipment
Hot Jobs
- OPTOMETRIST'S ASSISTANT / RECEPTIONIST Worcester
- SANDBLASTER Evesham
- PHARMACY COUNTER STAFF Worcester
- Retail Staff Kingham
- Recruitment Consultant Pershore
- Sales Executive Worcester
LOCAL ADVERTISERS
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Homes
- Unknown bedroom , Malvern, £180,000, John Goodwin (Malvern)
- 3 bedroom Bungalow, Malvern Link, £225,000, John Goodwin (Malvern)
- 3 bedroom House - terraced, Upton Upon Severn, £159,950, John Goodwin (Malvern)
- 2 bedroom Flat/apartment, Malvern, £219,500, John Goodwin (Malvern)
- 2 bedroom Flat/apartment, Great Malvern, £249,950, John Goodwin (Malvern)
- 3 bedroom Bungalow, Malvern, £275,000, John Goodwin (Malvern)
Alan2, Worcester says...
3:28pm Mon 4 Feb 08
What on earth have we come to, why don't they run a recruiting campaign in Her Majesty's Prisons.
How would you like a copper to do you for "no car insurance" when he had been done himself for the same thing or doing you son/daughter for criminal damage when he had also been done for it. Or, how would you feel if you saw the guy that had pinched your car, walking around in a Police uniform a short time later.
We have gone truly mad.