FOI 14642-25 Officer Vetting

Request:

This is a request for information according to the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

It relates to reviewing the vetting status of serving police officers.

(1) Since 1 April 2023, has your force introduced a vetting review policy, similar to Operation Assure that was instigated by the Metropolitan Police? Please provide a Yes/No answer.

Operation Assure is the Met’s process, based on national guidance, to consider dismissing officers who can no longer pass vetting.

If the answer is Yes, please proceed to the following questions:

(2) In the time period since you instigated the policy and up to the present day, how many serving police officers have had their vetting status reviewed?

(3) In the time period since you instigated the policy and up to the present day, how many serving police officers had their vetting status removed?

(4) In the time period since you instigated the policy and up to the present day, how many serving police officers have appealed against the vetting review decision?

(5) In the time period since you instigated the policy and up to the present day, how many serving police officers have won their appeal?

(6) Of those who won the appeal, how many have returned to full duty?

(7) How many who had their vetting status removed are currently awaiting a hearing for gross incompetence or misconduct or gross misconduct due to their loss of RV vetting clearance?

(8) How many who had their vetting status removed have had a hearing for gross incompetence, misconduct or gross misconduct due to their loss of RV vetting clearance?

(9) How many police officers have been dismissed from your force for gross incompetence or misconduct or gross misconduct as a result of the vetting review process?

Response:

Question 1 – No
Questions 2-9 – N/A

Northamptonshire Police follows College of Policing guidance with regards to vetting, which includes ongoing review. Further information can be found on the College of Policing website.