There is a small piece in The Sun last week reporting that two policemen have been held in a drugs raid in Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire. Police raided 13 houses in a crack down on heroine and cocaine drugs ring activity. 10 people in total were arrested, two of them policemen.
This follows hot on the heels of the recent report by the Liberal Democrats showing that over 1000 serving police officers have convictions for crimes ranging from assault and burglary to handling stolen goods.
The real problem here is that these convictions are damaging taxpayers’ confidence in the police. These people are supposed to be fighting crime and policing the streets, and it is wrong that many of them have committed offences that merit a jail sentence.
Worst still, it is tarring all police officers with the same brush. The overwhelming majority of police officers are honest, hard-working and risk their lives every day to keep us all safe. They shouldn't have their characters called into question by the mistakes of a few.
The easiest way to get around this problem is an outright ban on any police officer having a criminal record. That would be fairer to officers and better for both taxpayers and the long-term health of the justice system.