Police officers working with crime convictions
MORE than 20 police officers continue to serve across North Wales despite being convicted of crimes including assault, drug possession and animal cruelty.
A Freedom of Information request by our sister paper the Daily Post has revealed that 23 currently serving North Wales Police officers have criminal convictions, with nine officers getting a criminal record before joining the force.
One officer was employed despite being convicted for assault in 1984, while others joined the force with convictions for offences ranging from drunk and disorderly to obtaining property by deception.
A total of 14 officers gained criminal convictions after they joined.
One officer was convicted of common assault in 2001 and another was convicted of assault in 2011, while two officers were convicted of animal cruelty in 2008.
Other convictions include crimes under the data protection act, criminal damage, excess alcohol and various motoring offences, including careless driving, speeding, not possessing a driving licence and using a mobile phone while driving.
A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “North Wales Police have vigorous recruitment vetting procedures which include a convictions check.
“Where convictions details exist, they are verified and then considered in line with the Home Office National Recruitment Standards Eligibility Criteria. Details can be found on policecouldyou.co.uk.”