Arrests of Havering Police officers revealed

�A Havering police officer committed a sexual offence and two others were convicted of drink-driving in the last three years, the Recorder can reveal.

None of those three still work for the force, but a special constable who committed violence against a person in 2009 was allowed to remain.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed that ten Havering officers have been arrested since January 2009.

Dismissed

Five of them were cleared of any wrongdoing, four of the accusations were substantiated and one is still being investigated.

In 2010, a sergeant was arrested on suspicion of committing a sexual offence.

The unnamed officer was not convicted in court, but the offence was proven by a police misconduct investigation and he was dismissed without notice.

One constable in 2010 and another in 2011 were convicted of drink-driving before a court.

Both of those officers were disqualified from driving and either resigned or retired from the Metropolitan Police.

The outcome of the case of a special constable arrested for fraud last year is still pending.

Dagenham and Rainham MP Jon Cruddas said: “In one sense people will find this shocking, but in reality it is good that the police are, when necessary, being investigated and prosecuted.

“It would be naive to assume that they don’t have their share of wrong-doing within their ranks.”

Cllr Ted Eden, chairman of Havering Council’s crime and disorder committee, said: “The police officers I have met have all been gentlemen. I think they all do their job as the public expect them to.

“The fact that the police charge people who have done any wrong-doing goes to prove the honesty of the force.”

Met information manager, Margaret Bunker, said: “It is important to note that the number of allegations is an extremely small proportion of the total number of officers and staff.

“Securing and maintaining the trust of the community is integral to the principle of policing by consent.”