Constabulary trails new technology to strengthen vetting process

The platform combines data from government, police, third party and open-source intelligence databases and presents it in one bulk search that is ‘blended’ for vetting.

The constabulary says this will allow it to ensure every applicant is reviewed against the key areas of concern, but in a proportional and necessary manner.

It is estimated the new technology could speed up checks by up to 85 per cent by significantly increasing the capacity and capability of vetting teams.

The technology uses the Scout® platform from Tewkesbury-based Synalogik, which is designed to discover hidden risks using auditable data.

Gloucestershire Constabulary says vetting is integral to ensuring that people working within the service follow the code of ethics and expected professional standards.

In recent years this has taken a hit following high-profile misconduct cases, and Gloucestershire will be using the technology to provide assurances, it added.

The trial will last six months, after which it is expected to be rolled out fully in February 2024.

Superintendent Paul Keasey, director of Specialist Operations at Gloucestershire Constabulary, said: “This new technology will be vital to help us strengthen police integrity.

“We recognise there have been issues in the past with vetting and ensuring that only the right people are in policing.

“In Gloucestershire we are addressing this issue head-on and using innovative new technology to provide a better service and help safeguard the public.

“The platform uses auditable records to support our vetting teams and strengthen police integrity, not only increasing the quality of checks, but also the efficiency. This is absolutely vital if we are to increase trust and confidence in policing in Gloucestershire.”

He said the Scout® platform has been reviewed against strict constabulary ICT and security standards to ensure it is compliant, and will now undergo a further six months of testing before being rolled out.

The new technology aims to significantly increase the capacity and capability of our vetting teams in order to provide assurance that those working within the Constabulary live up to expectations set.

Police and crime commissioner Chris Nelson said: “I am always looking at technology to offer solutions to tackling crime more efficiently and effectively.

“We have just signed off a multi-million contract to replace our records management system and this initiative on vetting is our latest venture to improve our internal procedures.

“This technology should improve the quality, number and speed of our personnel data searches, which should reduce the inherent risks within any vetting process, meaning the public can be reassured that we will get smarter at spotting any recruit or serving officer/staff member who should not be in the constabulary.”

Gareth Mussell, chief executive of Synalogik, said: “We are excited by the results so far, and are looking forward to working in partnership with Gloucestershire Constabulary during the trial.”

The introduction of the new platform comes almost 15 years after Gloucestershire Constabulary rolled out vetting management software to speed up the retrieval of information regarding job applicants and visitors to its premises.

The Core-Vet technology from WPC Software was was designed to enable vetting teams to administer applications for all police staff and officers, as well as non-police personnel such as outside contractors.