Regular security clearance updates for police
Security clearance processes for police officers and police staff are fundamental to any anti-corruption strategy. Regular updating of the security status of each individual is essential to identify any concerns and to enable action to be taken in respect of such concerns. Notwithstanding the assurance received by the Panel from the Metropolitan Police in December 2020, the Metropolitan Police should remain vigilant at all times to ensure not only that it vets its employees in accordance with its new measures, but also that it has adequate and effective processes to establish whether its staff are currently engaged in crime.
How was this assessed?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedPolice forces carry out their vetting in line with the College of Policing's statutory code of practice on vetting and its APP on vetting. The College is currently in the process of updating its statutory code and it regularly reviews its Vetting APP, which reflects best practice for police vetting. In April 2023, the MPS Commissioner announced that all c.50,000 officers and staff have been searched against the Police National Database, and all serving officers have been searched against the Police National Computer. Further analysis has also been undertaken by the MPS to ensure that individuals have appropriate vetting for designated posts. However, ensuring these post holders are vetted to the correct standard is still ongoing.
Progress Timeline
HMICFRS returned Metropolitan Police to default monitoring (January 2025) after closing causes of concern linked to Daniel Morgan Panel recommendations. Met Police completed associated recommendations including anti-corruption reforms; 200+ additional professional standards officers; vetting refusal rates doubled to 11%.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
The College of Policing updated its statutory code of practice and APP on vetting. The MPS searched all c.50,000 officers against PND and PNC (announced April 2023). However, ensuring post holders have appropriate vetting for designated posts was described as 'still ongoing' in the government's June 2023 response. HMICFRS found in March 2022 that the Met had recruited people with criminal connections and did not know whether all officers in sensitive posts had required clearance.
View detailed findings
Database searches completed but the comprehensive vetting reform is ongoing. HMICFRS found significant vetting failures as recently as 2022.