First figures for dismissals recorded on the Police Barred List
Just over 100 police officers, special constables and staff had to be placed on the new Police Barred List in the first months following its introduction, figures from the College of Policing show.
The Barred List came into being from 15 December 2017 following the Policing and Crime Act 2017, which made it a requirement for all Home Office forces in England and Wales to inform the College of Policing of dismissals for conduct or performance matters.
Across forces in England and Wales; 70 police officers from PC to Superintendent rank, three members of the special constabulary, and 31 police staff were dismissed and are now prevented from re-entering the police service or joining other policing bodies.
The figures released today cover the period up to 31 March 2018. The College will now release figures on an annual basis to cover the financial year.
The Barred List also includes dismissals of officers who resigned or retired prior to a misconduct hearing being held. New legislation now enables forces to continue with these investigations and, where appropriate, still hold a hearing to establish whether or not the officer would have been dismissed had they remained in the police service.
Additionally, the names of police officers and members of the special constabulary dismissed for gross misconduct and placed on the Barred List, are published on a publicly searchable database.
Detective Superintendent Jackie Alexander, College of Policing lead for professional standards, said:
“The majority of the people working in policing act with honesty and integrity as shown by the number of dismissals in relation to the overall workforce of over 200,000 people.
“When people working in policing do fall below the required standard, it is important not only that they are dismissed, but also that they are prevented from returning to any policing role or body, for as long as they remain unsuitable. This safeguard is now in place with the new Barred List, which forces and policing bodies are required to check to ensure an applicant has not been Listed before any appointment is made.
“Any serious wrongdoing by those working in policing will be troubling to the public. The figures demonstrate that forces have measures in place to uncover wrong-doing, investigate effectively when it occurs, and hold officers and staff to account for their behaviour.”
The publicly searchable database can be found here.
