Convictions Criteria
Police officers play an important role in a democratic society, upholding the law and protecting the human rights of all its citizens. To carry out this important function they have powers in such areas as arrest; the use of minimum force; carrying out searches and seizing property. The public, quite properly, expect the highest standards from police officers when they use these powers. It is, therefore, essential that applicants for police posts are vetted to guarantee they are suitable persons to carry out these and other duties and to ensure that the community at large has full confidence in their police service.
Offences Generally
It is not possible to categorise and define succinctly, every criminal conviction which would make an applicant unsuitable for employment in the Police Service, but applicants who have any of the following convictions will not be considered further:
- Any conviction where the sentence imposed has resulted in a Custodial Sentence or a Suspended Sentence or a period of detention at a Young Offenders Centre;
- The fact that a person has been convicted of an offence, has breached a court order, or received a caution as defined by section 126 of the Police Act 1997 (3) may be taken into account, in accordance with any determination made by the Chief Constable in deciding his/her suitability for appointment.
Motoring Offences
The following applicants will not be considered further:
- Those who have been convicted of causing death by reckless (or dangerous) driving;
- Anyone who has received more than one period of disqualification from driving;
- Until 10 years has elapsed since conviction for any of the following: Dangerous Driving; 'Hit and Run Accident' offences; Drink Driving offences (including drugs); Driving Whilst Disqualified; Taking a Vehicle Without Authority; Vehicle Interference and associated fraudulently altering documents.
- Permitting any of the offences at (c) above.
- Until 5 years has elapsed since conviction for no insurance.
- Until 5 years has elapsed since conviction two or more convictions for regulatory offences.
- Has been convicted on three or more occasions arising separately of any other offences under the Road Traffic Orders or any equivalent offences elsewhere within 5 years from the date of application. (Fixed Penalty Notices may be taken into consideration when attendant circumstances indicate a blatant disregard for the law).
Cautions
Where an applicant has received an official recorded caution, whether as a juvenile or adult, the caution need not be a bar to selection, but will be the subject of further consideration. The final decision will be based on the nature of the offence and the period which has elapsed since the caution was administered.
Where an applicant has received three or more recorded cautions, the applicant will not be considered further until 3 years has elapsed since the date of the last administered caution.
Convictions or Formal Cautions in Other Jurisdictions
The criteria used above will include corresponding or equivalent convictions or formal cautions imposed under any jurisdiction.