Vetting standards for police officers bolstered under revised Code of Practice

By updating the College of Policing’s Vetting Code of Practice, police chiefs are being given additional tools to root out officers unfit to serve the public who might previously have “flown under the radar”.

The code provides clarity that failure to hold minimum vetting clearance should lead to dismissal proceedings and an officer’s vetting should be reviewed following the conclusion of misconduct proceedings that do not end in a dismissal.

The code also makes clear that the barred and advisory lists must be checked as part of the vetting process, ensuring any officers who have previously been dismissed cannot re-join the police. These changes all build on processes set out in the College of Policing’s guidance on vetting.

It comes as the Home Secretary asked the College of Policing to strengthen the Vetting Code of Practice following concerns raised by the “shocking” case of David Carrick earlier this year, with the update making clear there is an expectation that chief constables are responsible for holding their forces to these high vetting standards.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “The sickening cases of David Carrick and Wayne Couzens made clear the need for vetting practices that are effective and consistent in identifying those not fit to serve.

“Improving the standards of our officers is key to the common sense policing the public expect, and that is why I asked the College of Policing to urgently strengthen police vetting.

“By making clear that police chiefs are expected to enforce these high standards, we will see the top-down culture change that is crucial to rebuilding public confidence.”

Chief Constable Andy Marsh, College of Policing chief executive officer, said: “The dreadful crimes committed by police officers and staff exposed over recent months are compounded by the fact some of them flew under the radar because opportunities to detect them were missed.

“The code provides chief officers with clear expectations on what action is required to improve standards and consistency in police vetting units. It is paramount that the public have total confidence in our ability to find officers who do not belong in our ranks and the greater oversight being proposed by the college will help deliver that.

“Vetting will only ever be one part of the jigsaw and we must redouble our efforts to improve police culture. There are thousands of hardworking, dedicated officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public.

“Our new leadership training, a refreshed Code of Ethics and our work with forces to improve the response to violence against women and girls will provide further help.”

The revised Code of Practice sets out 18 expectations of chief officers, including the requirement for re-joiners to be fully re-vetted, and for forces to provide all relevant information on an officer transferring to another forces so no-one falls through the gaps.

All vetting cases where issues have been raised will have this flagged on police systems, ensuring all details that have been considered in the process of vetting are clearly identifiable.

Chief Constable Debbie Tedds, National Police Chiefs’ Council vetting lead, said: “Policing welcomes the updated Code of Practice which will further improve consistency and ensure vetting always meets the highest standards.

“We are committed to ensuring those who do not meet the required levels and are not fit to represent the service are prevented from entering or remaining in policing.”

The focus on improving vetting standards also follows His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Service’s report on vetting, misconduct and misogyny in policing, which recommended that the Vetting Code of Practice should be amended to provide clarity on some areas of concern, while also highlighting that issues in vetting predominantly lie with current vetting standards not being adhered to, rather than the framework itself.

The Government said the updated Vetting Code of Practice is one part of its drive to rebuild standards in policing.

The Home Secretary is also launching a review into the police dismissals process to ensure it is as effective as possible at removing unfit officers, while the Angiolini Inquiry will look at uncovering any further systemic issues in policing we need to address.

The Code of Practice was laid in Parliament on Thursday and will come into force immediately.