KENT Police employs a number of officers who have broken the law, it has emerged.

The force has 52 serving officers who have been before a court, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act. Most committed traffic offences but criminal damage and public order offences were also listed. Only 13 of the 52 have criminal records.

The statistics, obtained by a national newspaper, show Kent has the highest percentage of officers – 1.5 per cent of the total – with a conviction, compared with 12 other forces which answered a survey. In the Metropolitan Police, 74 officers received either a conviction or a caution but were kept on.

The police service recruiting website, www.policecouldyou.co.uk, says while police forces "need to be careful" about recruiting people with cautions and convictions, candidates with a record involving minor offences or a caution may still join.

Ian Pointon, chairman of the Kent Police Federation, said: "If a police officer commits a serious offence they should be sacked. But if a police officer goes through a speed camera we are surely not saying they should lose their job.

"The public needs confidence in the police, but the public are very fair-minded."

Kent Police said: "We have 52 officers who have been before a court, 47 for traffic offences, the remainder including public order and criminal damage."