Vetting and counter-corruption
Part of: Police ethics and accountability
National report
On 18 October 2021, we were commissioned by the Home Secretary to carry out a thematic inspection to assess current vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in policing across England and Wales. The inspection included assessing forces’ abilities to detect and deal with misogynistic and predatory behaviour.
Get the report
An inspection of vetting, misconduct, and misogyny in the police service – 2 November 2022
Get the letter to the Home Secretary
Vetting, misconduct and misogyny in the police service: review of progress – 11 May 2023
Commissioned reports
Inspection into Thames Valley Police commissioned by the police and crime commissioner – 25 October 2023
On 15 June 2023, the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner asked us to consider whether there had been any lost opportunities in how Thames Valley Police dealt with information relating to a serving officer – Police Constable Luke Christopher Horner – who had been charged with sexual offences.
We reviewed how well the:
- force vetting unit
- counter-corruption unit; and
- professional standards department dealt with information and intelligence relating to PC Horner.
We concluded that the force missed at least five opportunities to take stricter action against PC Horner which might have led to him being either refused initial vetting clearance, or dismissed.
Police force reports
We inspect and report on the effectiveness of police forces’ vetting arrangements. For some police forces, we also report on their IT monitoring and counter-corruption arrangements.
Forces which have been inspected are listed below, with a link to our findings. If a police force isn’t in the list it hasn’t been reported on yet. This page will be updated with new reports as soon as they are available.
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Bedfordshire Police – November 2022
The inspection took place more than 12 months before publication, so we provide no graded judgment on this force.
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Cambridgeshire Constabulary – November 2022
The inspection took place more than 12 months before publication, so we provide no graded judgment on this force.
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Cheshire Constabulary – June 2023
Cheshire Constabulary’s grade for vetting, IT monitoring and counter-corruption: Requires improvement
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in the City of London Police – June 2023
City of London Police’s grade for vetting, IT monitoring and counter-corruption: Requires improvement
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Cleveland Police – June 2023
Cleveland Police’s grade for vetting, IT monitoring and counter-corruption: Adequate
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Cumbria Constabulary – November 2022
Cumbria Constabulary’s grade for vetting, IT monitoring and counter-corruption: Requires improvement
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Dorset Police – November 2022
Dorset Police’s grade for vetting, IT monitoring and counter-corruption: Requires improvement
Police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy: An inspection of Durham Constabulary – October 2021
The findings from our inspection of Durham Constabulary’s vetting and counter-corruption arrangements were published in its PEEL report. You can learn more in the Building, supporting and protecting the workforce section.
Police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy: An inspection of Dyfed-Powys Police – August 2022
The findings from our inspection of Dyfed-Powys Police’s vetting and counter-corruption arrangements were published in its PEEL report. You can learn more in the Building, supporting and protecting the workforce section.
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Essex Police – June 2023
Essex Police’s grade for vetting, IT monitoring and counter-corruption: Good
Police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy: An inspection of Gloucestershire Constabulary – October 2021
The findings from our inspection of Gloucestershire Constabulary’s vetting and counter-corruption arrangements were published in its PEEL report. You can learn more in the Building, supporting and protecting the workforce section.
A report into the effectiveness of vetting arrangements in Greater Manchester Police – November 2022
The inspection took place more than 12 months before publication, so we provide no graded judgment on this force.
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Gwent Police – June 2023
Gwent Police’s grade for vetting, IT monitoring and counter-corruption: Adequate
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Hertfordshire Constabulary – November 2022
The inspection took place more than 12 months before publication, so we provide no graded judgment on this force.
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Humberside Police – September 2023
Humberside Police’s grade for vetting and counter-corruption: Requires improvement
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Kent Police – November 2022
Kent Police’s grade for vetting, IT monitoring and counter-corruption: Adequate
A report into the effectiveness of vetting arrangements in Lancashire Constabulary– June 2023
Lancashire Constabulary’s grade for vetting: Good
A report into the effectiveness of vetting arrangements in Leicestershire Police – November 2022
The inspection took place more than 12 months before publication, so we provide no graded judgment on this force.
Police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy: An inspection of Merseyside Police – August 2022
The findings from our inspection of Merseyside Police’s vetting arrangements were published in its PEEL report. You can learn more in the Building, supporting and protecting the workforce section.
The findings from our inspection of the Metropolitan Police Service’s counter-corruption arrangements were published in this report.
Police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy: An inspection of Norfolk Constabulary – October 2022
The findings from our inspection of Norfolk Constabulary’s vetting and counter-corruption arrangements were published in its PEEL report. You can learn more in the Building, supporting and protecting the workforce section.
A report into the effectiveness of vetting arrangements in North Wales Police – June 2023
North Wales Police’s grade for vetting: Adequate
Police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy: An inspection of Northamptonshire Police – November 2021
The findings from our inspection of Northamptonshire Police’s vetting arrangements were published in its PEEL report. You can learn more in the Building, supporting and protecting the workforce section.
A report into the effectiveness of vetting arrangements in Northumbria Police – September 2023
Northumbria Police’s grade for vetting: Adequate
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Nottinghamshire Police – November 2022
Nottinghamshire Police’s grade for vetting, IT monitoring and counter-corruption: Good
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in South Wales Police – November 2022
South Wales Police’s grade for vetting, IT monitoring and counter-corruption: Good
A report into the effectiveness of vetting arrangements in South Yorkshire Police – September 2023
South Yorkshire Police’s grade for vetting: Adequate
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Staffordshire Police – June 2023
Staffordshire Police’s grade for vetting, IT monitoring and counter-corruption: Adequate
Police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy: An inspection of Suffolk Constabulary – August 2022
The findings from our inspection of Suffolk Constabulary’s vetting and counter-corruption arrangements were published in its PEEL report. You can learn more in the Building, supporting and protecting the workforce section.
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Thames Valley Police – November 2022
The inspection took place more than 12 months before publication, so we provide no graded judgment on this force.
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in Warwickshire Police – September 2023
Warwickshire Police’s grade for vetting and counter-corruption: Adequate
A report into the effectiveness of vetting and counter-corruption arrangements in West Mercia Police – November 2022
The inspection took place more than 12 months before publication, so we provide no graded judgment on this force.
Police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy: An inspection of West Midlands – November 2021
The findings from our inspection of West Midlands Police’s vetting and counter-corruption arrangements were published in its PEEL report. You can learn more in the Building, supporting and protecting the workforce section.
Police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy: An inspection of West Yorkshire Police – November 2021
The findings from our inspection of West Yorkshire Police’s vetting and counter-corruption arrangements were published in its PEEL report. You can learn more in the Building, supporting and protecting the workforce section.