BBC research has revealed that more than 30 police and support officers in England and Wales have been convicted of child sex abuse offenses since January 2022.
The cases include grooming, blackmail, sexual assault, and rape, and those convicted have received a range of sentences, including jail time, suspended sentences, and non-custodial sentences. Among the convicted officers were individuals who worked with children and in child abuse safeguarding units.
The National Police Chiefs' Council acknowledges the need for stronger vetting standards and consistency in decision-making to prevent individuals with such convictions from entering or remaining in the police service.
Survivors of abuse by police officers may have difficulty trusting officers investigating their cases, which can have long-lasting effects.
Campaigners argue for reforms, particularly regarding sentences for possessing child pornography, to send a clear message about the seriousness of such crimes.