Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has backed new rules giving forces additional tools to root out officers who are not fit to serve.
The Home Office has replaced the College of Policing’s Vetting Code of Practice to strengthen vetting practices and place clear expectations on chief officers to deliver consistent standards.
Under the new Code of Practice, police officers can be fired if they do not hold minimum vetting clearance. In cases of misconduct that do not end in dismissal, the force will now be duty bound to review the officer’s vetting.
In further changes, the code makes it clear that the barred and advisory lists must be checked as part of the vetting process to ensure officers who have previously been dismissed cannot rejoin. The barred list shows officers, special constables and police staff members who have been dismissed from duty following investigations into conduct. The advisory list is a list of officers, special constables and staff who have resigned or retired during an investigation or who leave before an allegation is made.
Where vetting is granted with conditions (or withdrawn or declined), forces are now obligated to provide full rational for the decision to ensure decision making is appropriately documented.
The work has been requested by Home Secretary Suella Braverman in response to the findings of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services’ (HMICFRS) inspection into vetting, counter-corruption and misogyny last year. It also follows recent high-profile cases nationally of police misconduct and criminality.
Mr Matthews said: “Police officers are in a position of power and trust. The public expects them to act with integrity and honesty and where officers have fallen short of the mark, or are not fit to serve, robust action must be taken.
“I welcome the strengthening of these vetting procedures which will help to restore confidence and trust in the service. The expectation on Chief Constables to maintain these high standards will bring greater accountability to the system.”
The Code of Practice was redrafted by the College of Policing following extensive public and stakeholder consultation.
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Posted on Wednesday 9th August 2023