Police officers who do not pass background checks to be automatically sacked

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said a new law allowing police officers who fail vetting to be automatically sacked will help heal ‘damaged’ public trust.

The law change will mean passing background checks becomes a legal requirement for all servicing officers across England and Wales.

Cooper told Metro the move would end the ‘extraordinary’ situation where those with ‘a history of allegations of domestic abuse, sex offending or other concerning intelligence’ have been able to keep their job.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: ‘The ability to hold a vetting clearance is the most basic indication of whether someone can be trusted to hold the extensive and often intrusive powers that police officers are given. It was never right that an officer could lose their vetting, but not lose their job.

‘These reforms close that glaring gap in the law and will allow us to move swiftly to remove those who have no place in policing.

‘This matters not just for the public we serve but for the vast majority of hardworking officers who should be able to feel safe, have full trust in those they work alongside and have the confidence of the public.’

Those words were echoed by the Home Secretary, who said: ‘Public trust in policing has been damaged in recent years, as a result of very serious cases where officers fell below all proper policing standards, yet essential action wasn’t taken to remove them.

‘The whole point of vetting is to identify the risk someone might pose to the public, to their colleagues, or to the force.

‘So it is just extraordinary that until now an officer who has failed vetting because they have a history of allegations of domestic abuse, sex offending or other concerning intelligence has been able to remain in policing.

‘That must change. We came into office last year on a manifesto commitment to boost public confidence in policing, and that is why in our first months in government we have announced major reforms to ensure the highest standards are maintained.’

She continued: ‘That starts with ensuring that those who fail vetting can be dismissed.

‘Later this year we will be further strengthening national vetting standards and ensuring there’s a legal requirement that every force follows them.

‘Officers suspected of violence against women and girls should have no place working with the public, and we will make it easier to suspend them in these cases.

‘We will also ensure convictions for serious criminal offences will automatically lead to gross misconduct and an expectation that these officers will be fired.’

The new system for dismissals will come into effect on May 14, the Home Office said.

An independent review last year called for the police vetting system to be overhauled followed the conviction of Wayne Couzens for the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard.

Other high-profile incidents, like the case of serial rapist David Carrick, have raised questions about the standard of police background checks.

The Home Office said the current situation means officers can stay in the force on full pay even if it is decided they are not fit to face the public.

Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for vetting, said: ‘Police officers and staff should always be held to the highest standards and we must ensure that only those who are suitable to wear the uniform enter, and remain in policing.’

He added: ‘We welcome the announcement today of statutory vetting regulations, which provide clear routes for action to remove individuals who fall below the high standards the public and our workforce rightly expect and deserve.’

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