Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Monday, 12 January 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 January 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 19 January 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Police: Vetting

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what vetting takes place to ensure that persons with previous convictions are not employed by the police force; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) is responsible for vetting policy. Forces should not recruit people with cautions and convictions which may call into question the integrity of the applicant or the Police Service.Prior to recruitment, thorough checks are made to ascertain if anything is known to the detriment of the applicant, spouse, partner, close relatives or other associates which could heighten vulnerability or cause embarrassment to the Police Service.Checks are conducted through the Police National Computer, Criminal History System, Criminal Information System, counter terrorism databases and local intelligence, as well as military and police Professional Standards databases where necessary.Responsibility for recruitment is a matter for individual Chief Police Officers, and it is for each police force to make a decision on an individual basis against the national guidance.

Secondary information