Police Vetting Inconsistencies
98 items
2 sources
Inconsistent vetting practices across police forces and the ability of officers to evade re-vetting upon transfer.
Cross-Source Insight
Police Vetting Inconsistencies has been flagged across 2 independent accountability sources:
65 inquiry recs
33 PFD reports
This issue has been identified by multiple independent accountability bodies, suggesting it is a recurring systemic concern.
Inquiry Recommendations (65)
ANG-10 — Vetting Code compliance for officer transfers
Recommendation: With immediate effect, all recruiting forces should have regard to the new Vetting Code of Practice, which requires the parent force to provide all relevant information requested about the transferee to enable an effective assessment of risk by the force …
Gov response: Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "The act of pure evil committed against Sarah shocked the nation to its core. My heart goes out to Sarah's family and to all the brave victims who came forward …
Accepted
Delivered
ANG-11 — Strengthen information-sharing practices
Recommendation: By December 2024, the College of Policing, in collaboration with force vetting and recruitment units, should ensure that information-sharing practices, including data retention policies, are strengthened in order to prevent those who commit sexually motivated crimes against women and those …
Gov response: Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "The act of pure evil committed against Sarah shocked the nation to its core. My heart goes out to Sarah's family and to all the brave victims who came forward …
Accepted
In progress
ANG-12 — Officers held to higher standard with fettered privacy rights
Recommendation: With immediate effect, police forces should convey to all existing and prospective officers and staff that they must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy …
Gov response: Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "The act of pure evil committed against Sarah shocked the nation to its core. My heart goes out to Sarah's family and to all the brave victims who came forward …
Accepted
Delivered
ANG-13 — Stronger vetting aftercare and randomised re-vetting
Recommendation: By December 2024, the College of Policing, in collaboration with all force vetting units, should develop a stronger approach to force vetting aftercare in order to monitor an individual effectively throughout their career with the police and be aware of …
Gov response: Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "The act of pure evil committed against Sarah shocked the nation to its core. My heart goes out to Sarah's family and to all the brave victims who came forward …
Accepted
In progress
ANG-15 — Remove barriers to reporting sexual offences by colleagues
Recommendation: With immediate effect, all police forces should take action to understand and confront the barriers that police officers and staff face when reporting sexual offences committed by a person that they work with or in the workplace. This is in …
Gov response: Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "The act of pure evil committed against Sarah shocked the nation to its core. My heart goes out to Sarah's family and to all the brave victims who came forward …
Accepted
In progress
ANG-16 — Improve conditions for female officers
Recommendation: By September 2024, the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs' Council should review and examine the conditions of female officers and staff in order to encourage more women to join the police and progress in policing careers. To …
Gov response: Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "The act of pure evil committed against Sarah shocked the nation to its core. My heart goes out to Sarah's family and to all the brave victims who came forward …
Accepted
In progress
ANG-6 — Review sexual offence allegations against serving officers
Recommendation: By September 2024, the National Police Chiefs' Council, in collaboration with all force vetting units, and building on the results of the recent data-washing exercise, should conduct a review of the circumstances of all allegations of indecent exposure and other …
Gov response: Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "The act of pure evil committed against Sarah shocked the nation to its core. My heart goes out to Sarah's family and to all the brave victims who came forward …
Accepted
In progress
ANG-7 — In-person interviews and home visits for police candidates
Recommendation: With immediate effect, the College of Policing, in collaboration with force recruitment, should ensure that every new candidate applying to become a police officer in any police force undergoes an in-person interview and home visit. This should be designed to …
Gov response: Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "The act of pure evil committed against Sarah shocked the nation to its core. My heart goes out to Sarah's family and to all the brave victims who came forward …
Accepted
In progress
ANG-8 — Strengthen recruitment and vetting practices
Recommendation: By June 2024, the College of Policing, in collaboration with force vetting units, should take further steps to prevent those unsuitable for policing from joining the policing profession. This should include further developing the Vetting Code of Practice, Authorised Professional …
Gov response: Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "The act of pure evil committed against Sarah shocked the nation to its core. My heart goes out to Sarah's family and to all the brave victims who came forward …
Accepted
In progress
ANG-9 — Improve vetting decision-making quality and consistency
Recommendation: By March 2025, the College of Policing, in collaboration with force vetting units, should take steps to improve the quality and consistency of police vetting decision-making. This should include encouraging the use of greater professional rigour and curiosity when investigating …
Gov response: Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "The act of pure evil committed against Sarah shocked the nation to its core. My heart goes out to Sarah's family and to all the brave victims who came forward …
Accepted
In progress
R19 — Registration scheme for working with children
Recommendation: New arrangements should be introduced requiring those who wish to work with children, or vulnerable adults, to be registered. This register – perhaps supported by a card or licence – would confirm that there is no known reason why an …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
R20 — Standards for police vetting checks
Recommendation: HMIC should develop, with ACPO and the CRB, the standards to be observed by police forces in carrying out vetting checks. These should cover the intelligence databases to be searched, the robustness of procedures, guidance, training, supervision and audit.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R21 — Enhanced Disclosure for school staff
Recommendation: All posts, including those in schools, that involve working with children, and vulnerable adults, should be subject to the Enhanced Disclosure regime.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R22 — Identity checking responsibilities
Recommendation: The Registered Bodies' precise responsibilities for checking identities need to be clarified urgently.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R23 — Database access for identity verification
Recommendation: Registered Bodies, or the CRB, should be able to check passports and driving licences presented as proof of identity against the Passport Service and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) databases.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R24 — Photograph requirement for identity documents
Recommendation: There should be an expectation that documents produced to confirm identity should, wherever possible, include a photograph.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R25 — Fingerprints for identity verification
Recommendation: Fingerprints should be used as a means of verifying identity.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
R26 — Address verification guidance
Recommendation: Guidance should be issued to Registered Bodies on how to verify that applicants have given a full and accurate account of their current and past addresses.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R27 — Information verification confirmation
Recommendation: Registered Bodies should be required to confirm that they have checked the information on the 'Police Check Form' in accordance with CRB guidance.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R28 — Broader consent on Police Check Form
Recommendation: The consents that applicants currently give on the 'Police Check Form' should be sufficiently broad to enable the requisite checks to be undertaken.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R29 — Incomplete applications returned to Registered Body
Recommendation: Incomplete or withdrawn applications should in future be returned to the Registered Body, and not to the applicant.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R3 — Police IT procurement review
Recommendation: The procurement of IT systems by the police should be reviewed to ensure that, wherever possible, national solutions are delivered to national problems.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
R30 — Overseas applicant checking
Recommendation: Proposals should be brought forward as soon as possible to improve the checking of people from overseas who want to work with children and vulnerable adults.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R31 — Additional database access for CRB
Recommendation: As a priority, legislation should be brought forward to enable the CRB to access the following additional databases for the purpose of vetting: Her Majesty's Customs & Excise; National Criminal Intelligence Service; National Crime Squad; British Transport Police; and the …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R4 — PNC investment
Recommendation: Investment should be made available by Government to secure the PNC's medium and long-term future, given its importance to intelligence-led policing and to the criminal justice system as a whole. I note that PITO has begun this work.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R5 — PNC Code of Practice implementation
Recommendation: The new Code of Practice, made under the Police Reform Act 2002, dealing with the quality and timeliness of PNC data input, should be implemented as soon as possible.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R6 — PNC data quality inspection
Recommendation: The quality and timeliness of PNC data input should be routinely inspected as part of the Policing Performance Assessment Framework (PPAF) and the Baseline Assessments, which are being developed by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R7 — Court results PNC transfer
Recommendation: The transfer of responsibility for inputting court results onto the PNC should be reaffirmed by the Court Service and the Home Office and, if possible, accelerated ahead of the 2006 target. At the least, that deadline must be met.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R8 — Information management Code of Practice
Recommendation: A Code of Practice should be produced covering record creation, review, retention, deletion and information sharing. This should be made under the Police Reform Act 2002 and needs to be clear, concise and practical. It should supersede existing guidance.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
R9 — Key principles of information management
Recommendation: The Code of Practice must clearly set out the key principles of good information management (capture, review, retention, deletion and sharing), having regard to policing purposes, the rights of the individual and the law.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir …
Accepted
Delivered
DM-14 — Register membership of organisations like Freemasons
Recommendation: All police officers and police staff should be obliged to register in confidence with the Chief Officer of their police force, at either their point of recruitment to the police force or at any point subsequent to their recruitment, their …
Gov response: There were concerns about Freemasonry, and the potential for conflicts of loyalty among Freemasons who were also police officers, in the initial investigations. The report itself accepted that membership of the Freemasons was not a …
Accepted in Part
DM-15 — Regular security clearance updates for police
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: Police 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 …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
DM-2 — DNA samples from Police Officer Z31's relatives
Recommendation: The Panel recommends that the Metropolitan Police consider the desirability and explore the possibility of obtaining samples of DNA from former Police Officer Z31's relatives, to compare it with the outstanding DNA recovered from the axe.
Gov response: The MPS's homicide investigation arrangements are very different to those in place 36 years ago. According to HMICFRS, the force is now effective in investigating homicides and solves the vast majority of cases. The MPS …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
DM-9 — Regulation of private investigators
Recommendation: The Government should act on its stated intention in 2013 to require licensing measures, introduce legislation to ensure the creation and use of standards, and implement the recommendation in the 2016 review concerning the regulation of private investigators.
Gov response: The Panel recommended the introduction of licensing for the private investigator sector. The government notes the positive steps the private investigator industry is taking towards raising standards through the progress of the Association of British …
Not Accepted
FENN-154 — Continue implementing recommendations from the 'Crime on London Underground' report
Recommendation: The recommendations in the report of the study 'Crime on the London Underground' [HMSO 1986 ISBN 0 11 55080581 must continue to be implemented.
Unknown
FENN-24 — Maintain station plan and key holder lists; BTP to hold station keys
Recommendation: The London Underground HQ controller and the British Transport Police L Division information room must maintain a list of the position of all station plans and key holders. British Transport Police officers shall hold or have access to keys for …
Unknown
FENN-25 — Discuss closer links between British Transport Police and other forces
Recommendation: The British Railways Board as employers of the British Transport Police shall discuss with the Home Office closer links between the British Transport Police and other police forces.
Unknown
34 — DBS certificates for overseas work
Recommendation: The Home Office should introduce legislation permitting the Disclosure and Barring Service to provide enhanced certificates to UK nationals and residents of England and Wales applying for: 1. work or volunteering with UK-based organisations, where the recruitment decision is taken …
Gov response: On 21 January 2021, the Home Office stated that the UK government would continue to work with ACRO to publicise the existence of the International Child Protection Certificate, and to improve employers' understanding of the …
Not Accepted
35 — Mandatory DBS for work with children overseas
Recommendation: The Home Office should introduce legislation making it mandatory for: 1. all UK nationals and residents of England and Wales to provide a prospective employer overseas with an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate before undertaking work with children overseas …
Gov response: On 21 January 2021, the Home Office stated that although part 1 of this recommendation envisaged placing the legal obligation of providing overseas employers with an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate on UK nationals, …
Not Accepted
36 — Guidance on DBS for overseas work
Recommendation: The Home Office should ensure explanatory guidance is issued, providing clarity to recruiting organisations and individuals concerning the use of the Disclosure and Barring Service scheme for work and volunteering outside the UK.
Gov response: On 21 January 2021, the Home Office stated that the Disclosure and Barring Service signposts applicants to the International Child Protection Certificate if their work abroad makes them ineligible for Disclosure and Barring Service certificates. …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
FR-10 — Improve DBS Referral Compliance
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends that the UK government takes steps to improve compliance by regulated activity providers with their statutory duty to refer concerns about the suitability of individuals to work with children to the Disclosure and Barring Service, including: all …
Gov response: We accept the need to improve compliance with statutory duties to inform the Disclosure and Barring Service about individuals who may pose a risk of harm to children. We will work with the relevant bodies …
Accepted in Part
In progress
FR-11 — Extend Disclosure Regime Overseas
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends (as originally stated in its Children Outside the United Kingdom Phase 2 Investigation Report, dated January 2020) that the UK government introduces legislation permitting the Disclosure and Barring Service to provide enhanced certificates with barred list checks …
Gov response: We accept the need to review whether disclosure arrangements can be further strengthened for those working with children overseas, and we will consider the scope of further strengthening the regime, taking into account the findings …
Accepted in Part
In progress
P1-3 — Criminal record checks compliance
Recommendation: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust must assure itself that it is compliant with its own current policy on criminal record checks and re-checks for staff. The Trust should ensure that staff who are employed by its facilities management provider …
Gov response: Implemented. The Trust mandates contractors to renew security clearances every 3 years. Policy on criminal record checks is being followed for both direct staff and contractors. (Source: Trust assurance statement, February 2024; confirmed in Written …
Accepted
Delivered
L78 — PNC Access Auditing
Recommendation: The Police Service should re-examine the rigour of the auditing process and the frequency of the conduct of audits in relation to access to the Police National Computer (PNC). Additional consideration should also be given to the number of people …
Gov response: The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012: "Lord Justice Leveson makes a number of recommendations that are designed to break the perception of an excessively cosy relationship between the press and the police and …
Accepted
L79 — ACPO Guidance on Hospitality
Recommendation: The recent ACPO Guidance should more specifically spell out the dangers of consuming alcohol in a setting of casual hospitality (without necessarily specifying a blanket ban).
Gov response: The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012: "Lord Justice Leveson makes a number of recommendations that are designed to break the perception of an excessively cosy relationship between the press and the police and …
Accepted
L80 — ACPO Post-employment Restrictions
Recommendation: Consideration should be given to the terms upon which ACPO rank officers are appointed and, in particular, whether these terms should include some limitation upon the nature of any employment within or by the media that can be undertaken without …
Gov response: The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012: "Lord Justice Leveson makes a number of recommendations that are designed to break the perception of an excessively cosy relationship between the press and the police and …
Accepted
MAI-132 — Body-worn video for firearms officers
Recommendation: The Home Office, Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters and the College of Policing should consider whether firearms officers should be equipped routinely with body-worn video cameras.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
Delivered
MAI-161 — Review CCTV monitoring SIA licence requirements
Recommendation: The requirement that only those monitoring CCTV under a contract for services need to hold an SIA licence should be reviewed.
Gov response: The Security Industry Authority (SIA) published a formal statement on 17 June 2021 in response to Volume 1 of the Manchester Arena Inquiry. The SIA committed to collaborating with the private security industry, law enforcement, …
Accepted
Delivered
MAI-20 — Review licensing for security contractors
Recommendation: Consideration should be given to whether contractors who carried out security services should be required to be licenced.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
Delivered
POPP-C.11 — Confer statutory right for police to search persons entering football grounds
Recommendation: In England and Wales the unfettered right of the police to search those who are either entering or trying to enter a football ground should be conferred by statute.
Unknown
MACP-3 — Grant Her Majesty's Inspectors full powers to inspect all Police Services.
Recommendation: That Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary (HMIC) be granted full and unfettered powers and duties to inspect all parts of Police Services including the Metropolitan Police Service.
Unknown
MACP-59 — Home Office review and monitor police selection and promotion standards for senior officers
Recommendation: That the Home Office review and monitor the system and standards of Police Services applied to the selection and promotion of officers of the rank of Inspector and above. Such procedures for selection and promotion to be monitored and assessed …
Unknown
MACP-64 — Require policing plans to include targets for minority ethnic staff recruitment and retention
Recommendation: That the Home Secretary and Police Authorities' policing plans should include targets for recruitment, progression and retention of minority ethnic staff. Police Authorities to report progress to the Home Secretary annually. Such reports to be published.
Unknown
MACP-65 — Facilitate initiatives to increase qualified minority ethnic recruits in police services
Recommendation: That the Home Office and Police Services should facilitate the development of initiatives to increase the number of qualified minority ethnic recruits.
Unknown
MACP-66 — Require HMIC to inspect and report on police minority ethnic staff progress
Recommendation: That HMIC include in any regular inspection or in a thematic inspection a report on the progress made by Police Services in recruitment, progression and retention of minority ethnic staff.
Unknown
AG-1 — National Register of Armed Policing Recommendations
Recommendation: A national policing body should manage a national register of recommendations relating to armed policing, and the response to such recommendations, arising from Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) reports, prevention of future death reports made in the course of …
Gov response: 11. Under the leadership of Chief Constable of Civil Nuclear Constabulary, Simon Chesterman, the National Armed Policing Portfolio Lead (NAPP) has introduced a structured Organisational Learning Process. It incorporates lessons identified from IOPC reports, from …
Accepted
Delivered
AG-2 — HMICFRS Thematic Inspection of Armed Policing
Recommendation: Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) should conduct a thematic inspection or inspections concerning: (i) the selection and training of officers authorised to use weapons requiring special authorisation; (ii) the selection and training of officers …
Gov response: HMICFRS response to the Anthony Grainger Inquiry. 13. HMICFRS have now had the opportunity to consider recommendation 2 of the Anthony Grainger Inquiry. 14. HMICFRS note that the Inquiry Chair, His Honour Judge Teague, was …
Accepted
Delivered
AG-3 — Code of Practice on New Weapons Approval
Recommendation: The Home Secretary should ensure that the new Code of Practice on Police use of Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons contains an express prohibition on the use of a new weapon system by the police service until the approval process …
Gov response: 16. The Government accepts this recommendation. On 14 January 2020, the Home Secretary approved the revised Code of Practice for Armed Policing and Less Lethal Weapons (LLW). The Code has now been published on The …
Accepted
Delivered
AG-4 — North West Armed Policing SOP Amendment
Recommendation: The North West Armed Policing Standard Operating Procedure on Weapons and Ammunition should be amended so that it only permits the use of new specialist munitions that have been approved in accordance with the Code of Practice for Armed Policing …
Gov response: 20. The use of CS dispersal canisters by GMP during Operation Shire was a focus of concern for the Inquiry. The CS dispersal canisters had not been through the approval process that includes the identification …
Accepted
Delivered
AG-5 — GMP Intelligence Policy for Armed Deployments
Recommendation: Greater Manchester Police (GMP) should design and promulgate a written policy that specifically relates to the collection, analysis and dissemination of intelligence for the purposes of planned armed deployments within the meaning of the Armed Policing module of Authorised Professional …
Gov response: 23. The Inquiry concluded that the missed opportunity to build an accurate picture of the threat presented by Anthony Grainger was a major failing during Operation Shire. This led to an exaggerated assessment of the …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
AG-6 — MASTS Documentation and Training Clarity
Recommendation: All documents and training relating to Mobile Armed Support to Surveillance (MASTS) should: clearly differentiate between MASTS as an operational method of supporting surveillance (and delivering a standard range of tactical options), and the additional tactical options of 'intervention' and …
Gov response: 28. This recommendation is complex and has required a review of Authorised Professional Practice (APP), the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC) and associated policy and doctrine. NPCC have decided to take responsibility, given the …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
AG-8 — MASTS Vehicle Identification Equipment
Recommendation: The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) should consider whether to recommend equipping unmarked vehicles used in Mobile Armed Support to Surveillance (MASTS) interventions with apparatus designed to identify to subjects that those conducting such interventions are police officers - specifically …
Gov response: 33. The NPCC have informed the Government that the National Mobile Armed Support to Surveillance (MASTS) role profile (National Resource Standard) addresses the first part of this recommendation. This requires forces to have three covert …
Accepted
Delivered
AR-1 — Full Review of Operation Tayport
Recommendation: I recommend that, as soon as is reasonably practicable, the MPS undertake a full, thorough review of all aspects of Operation Tayport. The review should be conducted by a senior officer appointed by the Commissioner with no inhibitions about critical …
Gov response: No formal government response published. MPS confirmed implementation on 3 June 2014 following internal review by Commander Basu.
Accepted
Delivered
AR-3 — Commissioner to Appoint Debrief Officer
Recommendation: In the event of a shooting by an MPS officer that results in death or serious injury, the Commissioner should thereupon appoint a senior officer to conduct a full, operational debriefing. The officer must have sufficient seniority to not be …
Gov response: No formal government response published. MPS confirmed implementation of senior officer debriefing procedures on 12 August 2014.
Accepted
Delivered
COVID-M2.6 — Enact Socio-economic Duty
Recommendation: The UK government should bring into force in England section 1 of the Equality Act 2010, implementing the socio-economic duty. The Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive should consider an equivalent provision within section 75 of the Northern Ireland …
Gov response: No government response yet received. Module 2 report published 20 November 2025.
Response Unclear
PFD Reports (33)
Benjamin Websdale
Concerns: There's no national recording of police officer suicides during misconduct investigations, preventing identification of risk and support needs. Also, not all police forces have implemented trauma education campaigns.
Pending
Richard Haddock
Concerns: Police processes failed to notify the Firearms Licensing Department of a prosecution, and the department did not check PNC records, leading to a shotgun being returned to a prohibited individual.
Response: Devon & Cornwall Police's Firearms and Explosives Licensing Unit (FELU) now undertakes PNC checks as part of initial suitability reviews and immediately prior to returning firearms. Additional checks with other …
Responded
Ann Laskowsky
Concerns: Inadequate first aid training for police officers in assessing patient conditions and poor awareness of a dedicated medical advice line led to a failure to recognise severe medical needs.
Response: The College of Policing revised its First Aid Learning Programme (FALP) in 2023, expanding content and training time to include advanced casualty assessment and recognition of acute alcohol intoxication, now …
Response: West Yorkshire Police has updated its operational briefings and guidance to reinforce the use of the YAS Partner Triage Line, and has tasked a team with monitoring its usage. They …
Response: The NPCC confirms a full review of the Police First Aid Learning Programme (FALP) was conducted in 2023 and implemented this year, mandating assessment of breathing and responsiveness. They have …
Responded
Sean Fitzgerald
Concerns: Inadequate national training and guidance on the timing of "armed police" announcements during tactical operations creates ambiguity, increasing risks of confusion and fatal consequences.
Overdue
Elaine Tarbuck
Concerns: The "Right Care, Right Person" policy led to misclassification of a "concern for welfare" call, causing significant delays in emergency services forcing entry and resulting in inappropriate first responder attendance.
Responded
Robert Evans
Concerns: A lack of guidance and power prevents police officers from ensuring medical attention for individuals suspected of swallowing drugs during a street search if not arrested, creating a critical gap in care compared to those in custody.
Responded
Chad Allford
Concerns: Police officers lacked crucial training and guidance on responding to drug concealment in the mouth, leading to unsafe interventions and failure to warn suspects of life-threatening choking risks.
Responded
William Helstrip
Concerns: The initial police investigation failed to properly probe drug sourcing via the "Dark Web" and Royal Mail, leading to the irretrievable loss of critical, time-sensitive evidence.
Responded
Meghan Chrismas
Concerns: Inadequate supervision of police control room operators and the absence of effective information-sharing structures between NHS and private healthcare providers posed significant risks.
Responded
Ivan Ignatov
Concerns: A detainee's mental health assessment was missed in police custody, and an act of self-harm was misjudged. Critical risk information, including first-time custody status, was not properly recorded or collated, hindering comprehensive risk assessment.
Responded
Angela Craddock
Concerns: An offender's Restraining Order was not communicated to prison staff, leading to breaches. Community rehabilitation services were unaware, affecting risk assessment and recall procedures upon release.
Responded
Michael Roberts
Concerns: An inaccurate DBS certificate failed to disclose a violent conviction, enabling an individual to be employed with access to firearms. The source of this critical error is currently unclear.
Overdue
Nicholas Dumphreys
Concerns: Safety-critical vehicle information may not reach all police forces due to informal communication channels. There's also no policy to prevent faulty decommissioned police vehicles from being sold, and a lack of national garage standards risks inadequate maintenance.
Responded
Anthony Fitzpatrick
Concerns: Healthcare professionals used inconsistent and subjective criteria for assessing suicide risk, not following training materials, leading to inaccurate risk grading and no plan to rectify this critical issue.
Overdue
Trevor Smith
Concerns: Critical mental health information from MARAC was not accurately recorded or cascaded to police, leading to officers being unaware of the deceased's EMD status. There was also confusion and a lack of coordination during CPR efforts.
Responded
Leon Briggs
Concerns: The local S136 Multi-Agency Policy is unclear and lacks streamlining. There is insufficient training for first responders on recognizing medical emergencies, the effects of restraint, and monitoring detainees.
Responded
Hamish Howitt
Concerns: Police officers, lacking medical training, failed to ensure an injured, seemingly inebriated person was taken to hospital, leading to a missed traumatic brain injury. Training needs to mandate hospital referral for such individuals.
Responded
Anthony Preston
Concerns: The police Missing Person Policy requires review to ensure it is fit for purpose and adequately addresses risks.
Overdue
Anthony Carroll
Concerns: The public may misunderstand police emergency vehicle speed limits. Additionally, a lack of visual indicators led officers to mistakenly believe sirens were active, highlighting a safety flaw.
Responded
Duncan Tomlin
Concerns: Police training inadequately emphasizes the heightened risks of prone restraint with multiple breathing-affecting factors. Officers may prioritize quick removal over adequately assessing the reasons for a detainee's distress or resistance.
Overdue
Aidan Ridley
Concerns: Inadequate police call handler training led to incorrect advice not to move a patient and failure to involve ambulance services, compounded by underutilization of a new 3-way call system.
Responded
Catherine Horton
Concerns: Multiple failures in a missing persons investigation, including incorrect closure due to severe understaffing and high workload in the police missing persons unit.
Responded
Dane Pearson
Concerns: Police issued a CAWN without proper evidence, rationale, or risk assessment for a vulnerable person, and failed to communicate the decision to drop the investigation.
Overdue
Karl Brunner
Concerns: The incident highlights a risk of future deaths where individuals swallow drugs during police stops, requiring a review of procedures for managing such medical emergencies.
Overdue
Richard Davies
Concerns: A police armed policing unit used unbonded ammunition which did not align with national recommendations and lacked a clear bullet mass retention specification.
Overdue
Olaseni Lewis
Concerns: Police training on restraint techniques and Acute Behavioural Disturbance (ABD) was inadequate and misunderstood, leading to officers misinterpreting risks, especially regarding "prolonged restraint." Additionally, there was a critical lack of clarity and training on inter-agency roles and responsibilities between police and healthcare staff.
Responded
Philmore Mills
Concerns: Police training for subjects with suspected excited delirium lacks instruction on containment tactics and fails to inform officers that restraint take-down procedures can carry a risk of death, only focusing on minor injuries.
Overdue
Paul McGuigan
Concerns: General concerns were raised across relevant agencies about risks that could lead to future deaths, requiring action.
Responded
Nicholas Rowley
Concerns: Insufficient verbal consultation between medical practitioners and custody staff, coupled with inadequate joint training, led to unclear observation levels and poor management of drug/alcohol risks in detainees.
Overdue
Jason Palmer
Concerns: A breakdown in information sharing between police units meant domestic incident details were not available to the Firearms Unit, impacting suitability assessment for a shotgun licence renewal.
Responded
Maria Stubbings
Concerns: Gaps in the system allow individuals convicted of murder abroad to enter the UK without conditions or local police notification, lacking retrospective data sharing, passport warnings, or local police alerts.
Overdue
David Oldfield
Concerns: Concerns were raised about the appropriateness and justification of tasering the deceased, given discrepancies in officer accounts. Unjustified tasering unnecessarily increases the risk of serious injury or death.
Responded
Louise Bailey
Concerns: Police drivers lack critical information and training regarding closer units, preventing them from completing full risk assessments before responding to emergency calls.
Responded