Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 13 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 March 2006. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 March 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Police

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what routine background checks are made on (a) serving police officers, (b) police recruits and (c) community support officers; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Enhanced vetting checks are carried out on officers working in sensitive posts.Before appointing anyone as a police officer, criminal record checks are carried out on applicants and their families. Employment and education history are checked and references obtained. Local intelligence checks, financial vetting and security vetting are also carried out.All Police Community Support Officers are subject to criminal records and local intelligence checks.

Secondary information