<-- Back to proposed bills
Police accountability and vetting
23 April 2025
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Home Office
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The Home Office is implementing reforms to enhance police accountability and misconduct processes.
Action Requested
I am laying new regulations requiring all serving police officers to hold appropriate vetting status, with dismissal as a consequence for those who fail. Additional regulations will be introduced next month to strengthen conduct and performance regimes, including automatic gross misconduct findings for certain criminal offences and dismissal defaults. Extra measures on mandatory vetting standards and suspension of VAWG allegation investigations will follow later this year.
Key Facts
- The Home Office has worked in partnership with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Metropolitan Police Service, College of Policing, Independent Office for Police Conduct, and Crown Prosecution Service to implement reforms.
- Sir Mark Rowley expressed frustration at the lack of progress on ending unfit officers' service.
- Sir Ian Blair wrote about the need to remove officers who fail vetting procedures, which was not addressed over 25 years.
- The Director of Public Prosecutions completed a review and published revised guidance on 31 January.
- Measures to address legal tests for use of force in police misconduct cases are under review by Sir Adrian Fulford and Tim Godwin.
- An amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill will provide presumption of anonymity for firearms officers involved in shootings.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy