With all the revelations about police infiltrating protest groups and indulging in some “shady” behaviour which could be interpreted as provocative, entrapment and encouraging criminal acts, it comes as no surprise to find that other cops have also been doing a wee bit of freelance work on the side.
After a freedom of information request it has come to light that in Scotland since January 2009, 40 Scottish police officers have been convicted of a criminal offence. Strathclyde Police Force comes out at the top of the leader board with 30 police officers convicted of 35 criminal offences which included, driving offences, breaches of the peace and assault. The colourful range of offences also included convictions under the Misuse of Firearms Act and the Misuse of Drugs Act and let's not forget convictions for attempting to pervert the course of justice. Quite a catalogue of crimes for those supposed to uphold and protect the rule of law and order, however what surprised me most was the fact that Strathclyde Police stated that ONE officer had been dismissed as a result of a conviction???
