by Alex Claridge

Forty-seven serving police officers in the county, including three east Kent constables, have criminal convictions, the Gazette and Faversham News can exclusively reveal.

Crimes committed include assaults, drink-driving, criminal damage, failing to report an accident, speeding and using a mobile phone while driving.

One east Kent constable, whose patch includes Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay, has a conviction for perverting the course of justice.

The revelations come after a Freedom of Information Act request.

Other information released by Kent Police shows that as of January 1, 2010 there were 16 officers up to rank of inspector suspended from their jobs.

Reasons for suspensions included problems with honesty and integrity, offences of disreputable conduct and the commission of crimes.

And since May last year, two constables and two sergeants in the county have been sacked for assault, ticket touting, breaching the Data Protection Act and criminal damage.

In a statement ACC Allyn Thomas said: “We expect the highest standards from our officers and staff.

“Our staff are expected to work to the standard of professional behaviour which upholds honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity and use of restraint.

“We regularly check our staff are carrying out their duties appropriately and we have in place rigorous procedures if officers or staff fail to meet the required standard.

“Our professional standards team have a strict protocol to follow when undertaking an internal investigation, which would run alongside any criminal proceedings if necessary.

“No one is above the law and when individuals have failed to maintain the standards that we expect or have abused the position of trust placed upon them, we will act accordingly and enforce the law.”

Mr Thomas went on: “The fact we have removed officers from Kent Police shows that there are occasions where dismissal has been the only appropriate course of action.

“Officers and staff who break the law but do not lose their jobs are considered on a case-by-case basis and could be removed from certain roles or limited to certain duties for a period of time."

Read the full story in this week's Kentish Gazette.

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