To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent reports that 2,500 long-serving police officers and other police staff are working despite not having up-to-date vetting; and what steps they are taking to ensure that all serving police officers have been vetted.
Answered on
30 November 2021
The Government recognises public concern around police vetting which is why the Home Secretary has recently commissioned Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire & Rescue Service (HMICFRS) to carry out an urgent thematic inspection of vetting and counter-corruption procedures in policing across England and Wales – including forces’ ability to detect and deal with misogynistic and predatory behaviour.
Alongside this, the Home Secretary has also announced a two-part inquiry which will be able to look at the conduct of, and career of, the officer who murdered Sarah Everard as well as any wider issues across policing, including workplace behaviour and culture.