Police integrity inspection programme – methodology

1. How effectively does the force manage vetting?

1.1 The force manages the vetting of its workforce effectively.

• 1.1.1 The force vetting unit effectively manages all vetting requests and it anticipates future demand. All officers and staff have the current level of vetting that is needed for their role. And the force regularly reviews the requirements for each vetting level in line with the authorised professional practice for vetting. If some officers and staff don’t have the required level of vetting, the force has an achievable plan to address this.
• 1.1.2 The force understands which posts require enhanced vetting and is aware of the vetting status of those post holders.
• 1.1.3 The force vetting unit makes effective vetting decisions and records its rationale. The unit uses risk mitigation measures when appropriate and identifies whether there is disproportionality in decision-making. If there is disproportionality in decision-making, the force understands why and makes sure it is addressed.

2. How effectively does the force promote high standards of behaviour in its workforce?

2.1 How does the force promote the standards of professional behaviour and integrate organisational learning within the workforce?

• 2.1.1 The force uses a variety of methods to regularly reinforce the standards of professional behaviour and organisational learning.
• 2.1.2 The force makes sure that its workforce understands the standards of professional behaviour and organisational learning.
• 2.1.3 The force has a clear process for collecting and sharing examples of organisational learning, and has a nominated lead who is responsible for this process.

3. How effectively does the force identify, handle and investigate potential breaches of the standards of professional behaviour?

3.1 Does the professional standards department (PSD) have the capability and capacity to carry out their role?

• 3.1.1 The PSD has enough officers and staff to carry out their work and comply with statutory requirements.
• 3.1.2 The PSD workforce is experienced and trained to an appropriate level so they can carry out their work and comply with statutory requirements.

3.2 Does the force have effective processes and governance arrangements to identify and initially handle potential breaches of the standards of professional behaviour?

• 3.2.1 The force’s initial handling of complaints and allegations complies with statutory requirements.
• 3.2.2 The force documents its PSD systems and processes and makes sure its workforce understands them.
• 3.2.3 The force’s public complaints system is accessible to everyone, including people with protected characteristics and hard-to-reach groups.

3.3 Do the force’s processes and governance arrangements allow it to carry out good-quality investigations and resolve public complaints and conduct matters?

• 3.3.1 The force investigates and resolves complaints and allegations thoroughly and proportionately and in line with statutory requirements.
• 3.3.2 The force documents its PSD systems and processes and makes sure its workforce understands them.
• 3.3.3 The force understands the needs of complainants and makes sure to meet their needs in line with statutory requirements.

3.4 Does the PSD have effective relationships with other force divisions and departments?

• 3.4.1 The PSD works with other divisions and departments including HR, the force training department, vetting and legal services, to make sure relevant information is routinely shared.
• 3.4.2 The PSD routinely considers relevant information that it and other divisions and departments have about the workforce.

4. Does the force hold police officers and staff accountable for their behaviour in a way that is proportionate, fair and consistent?

4.1 Does the force make sure that decisions made about potential misconduct are proportionate, fair and consistent?

• 4.1.1 The force makes sure decisions about potential breaches of the standards of professional behaviour are proportionate, fair and consistent.

5. How effectively does the force protect the information within its IT systems?

5.1 The force effectively protects the information within its IT systems.

• 5.1.1 The force regularly monitors the use of its IT systems to identify inappropriate use. The systems include hand-held and remote devices.
• 5.1.2 The force has a proactive approach to IT monitoring and has enough officers and staff to carry out this work effectively.
• 5.1.3 If the force can’t monitor its IT systems effectively, it has an effective risk mitigation plan, such as an auditing function.

6. How effectively does the force tackle corruption and manage corruption-related intelligence in its workforce?

6.1 The force effectively tackles corruption and responds to corruption-related intelligence. This will help it to manage the threat and risk posed by officers and staff in its workforce.

• 6.1.1 The force correctly categorises corruption intelligence in line with authorised professional practice for corruption. It has a comprehensive annual counter-corruption strategic assessment, control strategy and delivery plan. The delivery plan identifies officers and staff who are assigned to each task. The force uses its assessment, strategy and plan effectively to direct its activity and reduce the threat and risk of corruption.
• 6.1.2 The counter-corruption unit has enough officers and staff to achieve its aims and objectives, meet demand and proactively collect corruption-related intelligence.
• 6.1.3 The force recognises abuse of position for a sexual purpose as serious corruption and it trains supervisors to identify warning signs. The force maintains effective working relationships with external agencies and organisations that support vulnerable people and encourage intelligence reporting to safeguard potential victims.

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Police integrity inspection programme