More than 40 police officers in Scotland have been convicted of a criminal offence since January 2009, new figures reveal.

The majority of the crimes were traffic violations, such as speeding, but others included attempting to pervert the course of justice, breach of the peace, and drugs and firearms offences.

Most of the criminal acts took place while the officers - whose ranks ranged from constable to sergeant - were off duty. Many of the officers are still serving with their force, despite a conviction.

A total of 43 officers were convicted of criminal offences between January 1 2009 and December 2 2010.

Some officers resigned after their convictions and before misconduct proceedings by their force.

The Press Association sent a Freedom of Information request to all eight police forces in Scotland asking how many of their officers had been convicted of criminal offences since January 2009.

Strathclyde Police had 29 officers convicted of a total of 35 criminal offences between January 2009 and November 10 2010.

Convictions

There were 20 convictions for driving offences, four for assault and eight for breach of the peace. There were also convictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act and Firearms Act, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The force said one of its officers had been dismissed as a result of a conviction.

Three Northern Constabulary officers were convicted of a criminal offence since January 2009. The offences were attempting to pervert the course of justice, careless driving and contravention of Section 44 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967.

The force said the officer convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice resigned before completion of a misconduct investigation.

It also said an investigation was ongoing into an officer convicted of contravention of Section 44 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967, which covers offences including crimes such as neglecting or violating their duty.

The force said: "The ranks of officers were two constables and one sergeant. One of the constables is no longer serving."

Offences

Two Lothian and Borders Police constables, who were not on duty at the time of the offences, were convicted of criminal acts. The offences were breach of the Data Protection Act and speeding.

In 2009, three Fife Constabulary officers received fines for speeding offences that took place while off duty. None of the force's officers were convicted of a criminal offence up to November 10 2010.

Two Central Scotland Police constables were convicted of driving offences between January 2009 and November 11 2010.

Grampian Police said a constable was convicted of exceeding a statutory speed limit but was not sacked or dismissed as a result of the conviction.

Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary said between January 1 2009 and November 10 2010 three officers were convicted.

The force said: "All of the convictions were for breach of the peace. Two cases were off duty and the other was on duty.

"Two of the officers resigned prior to any misconduct proceedings and the other is still a serving officer. The constable still serving was convicted of an off-duty breach of the peace."

Tayside Police said that no serving officers were convicted of a criminal offence between January 2009 and November 10 2010.