Guy Lambert, a reporter from the society, highlighted the new government measures introduced to increase confidence in policing. Following an independent report on the murder of Sarah Everard by police officer Wayne Couzens in 2021, the need to change police vetting procedures was emphasized. The upcoming measures will make passing background checks mandatory for all serving officers, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper describing the reforms as “essential” to reestablish trust in policing.
The current scenario allows officers who fail vetting checks to remain in their force on full pay, despite not being able to carry out public-facing roles. The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, criticized this practice as an “absurd” and “ridiculous waste of taxpayers’ money.” The recent High Court ruling, which prevented the dismissal of an officer accused of rape due to an unfair process, further highlighted the need for reform in police vetting procedures.
Following the independent report on the Sarah Everard murder, significant changes have been proposed to reassess police vetting procedures. In 2024, background checks revealed over 400 undisclosed misconduct cases among police officers and staff, including theft, fraud, and drug-related issues. The existing Met Police vetting model involves criminal record checks, behavioral assessments, financial scrutiny, and investigations into the individual’s close contacts.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the necessity of allowing only officers meeting the highest standards to wear the uniform, aiming to restore public trust in policing. Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith from the National Police Chiefs’ Council also expressed support for the proposed changes to remove individuals falling below expected standards. The reforms aim to swiftly address issues within policing, ensuring public safety and reinforcing trust among the hardworking officers committed to safeguarding communities
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