A report released on Wednesday this week by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) revealed that in police forces up and down the country, hundreds of police officers or staff who should have failed vetting checks, may still be in the job.
As well as cases being discovered of serving officers with criminal records, the report also revealed cases of misogyny and sexual misconduct, as well as “an alarming number alleged appalling behaviour by male colleagues”.
Impact on the Island?
News OnTheWight wrote to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the HMICFRS to find out what impact the report had on our police force.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Acting Chief Constable, Ben Snuggs, told News OnTheWight that their vetting process does not cease once an officer or member of staff has been recruited, but continues throughout their career.
Snuggs: Thorough pre-employment checks
The Acting Chief Constable didn’t answer News OnTheWight’s question as to whether the force was aware of any officer fitting this profile, but he did tell us,
“Hampshire Constabulary has very robust recruitment processes in place, involving a series of local and national stages of assessment, with all suitable candidates undertaking thorough pre-employment checks, including vetting.
“Our local arrangements are clear and include three key stages: Registration and Eligibility Screening, followed by two online assessments, which assess whether potential candidates have the right behaviours, successful applicants are then progressed to the national recruitment assessment centre, which is something all forces use.
“Like all Chief Constables, I am digesting today’s report from HMICFRS and the recommendations made, to understand what additional measures may be necessary.”
Snuggs: Confident new recruits are rigorously assessed
Snuggs also went on to tell News OnTheWight,
“We are confident that our new recruits are rigorously assessed, and vetted, before being appointed, and we actively review how we go about this regularly.
“Crucially, the vetting process does not cease once an officer or member of staff has been recruited. It continues throughout their career. This ensures any new information or changes can be taken into account.”
Jones: Will be following up on report’s recommendations
Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, also explained that vetting was ongoing. She told News OnTheWight,
“Vetting is the first hurdle into policing to ensure the right people are appointed, this standard should be high and it should be consistent across the board.
“I know that Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has a stringent vetting process in place to ensure those who get through the door are the right people to serve the public.
“The Chief Constable has told me that they are confident new recruits are rigorously vetted before appointment and importantly, that officers and staff are continually vetted throughout their career, not just new officers.
“However, I will be following up on the recommendations made by the report to ensure processes are robust as they can be as we continue to recruit my target of 600 more officers by 2023.”
News OnTheWight also wrote to the HMICFRS press office with questions about IW staff but they failed to respond.
Source: BBC and HMICFRS Report
Image: westmidlandspolice under CC BY 2.0
