After all, there doing such a good job, what with Bristol and the rest of the country a virtually a mugging-free zone, and what with containing all those "domestic extremists" as well- it our turn to show our gratitude to those who "protect and serve".

And remember - it's not just shoplifting - there are 1,063 serving officers with criminal records, including 59 for assault, 36 for theft and 96 for dishonesty. Other offences include battery, fraud, perverting the course of justice and forgery - all no doubt causded by the poverty they face by choosing a selfless life as a police officer.

Case 1:Peter Cokell has been handed a suspended prison sentence yesterday (2nd Dec) and ordered to carry out 70 hours of unpaid work after taking the PlayStation 3 games from The Mall at Cribbs Causeway by concealing them under his body armour.

District Judge David Parsons said the theft was a "gross breach of trust" and had damaged confidence in Avon and Somerset police.

Cokell, 34, of Wick, South Gloucestershire, was found guilty by District Judge Parsons after a trial during which CCTV footage showed him committing the crime he had spent six years trying to stamp out.

Peter Cokell has been handed a suspended prison sentence and ordered to carry out 70 hours of unpaid work after taking the PlayStation 3 games from The Mall at Cribbs Causeway by concealing them under his body armour.

Case 2:

Chief Inspector Kim Molloy, from Nottinghamshire Police, was arrested at Tesco Extra in Top Valley Drive, Top Valley, Nottingham 28th November.

She has now been bailed pending further inquiries but not suspended.

A Nottinghamshire Police spokesman said: "A 44-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the incident and has been bailed until February 2010."

He confirmed Ch Insp Molloy had not been suspended from the force.

Case 3:

Two high-ranking police officers have been suspended over allegations they stole bottles of wine from a Marks & Spencer store.

Lovers, Chief Inspector Sharon Rowe, 44, and Detective Chief Inspector Jim Torbet, thought to be in his 50s, were questioned by officers from their own force last October. No prosecution followed.