Metropolitan Police Chief Criticizes Home Office Over Officer Vetting Rules
Sir Mark Rowley asserts lack of action from the Home Office has hindered the ability to dismiss unfit officers following a High Court ruling.
Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has publicly criticized the Home Office for its inaction regarding the vetting procedures of police officers.
His remarks follow a High Court ruling that deemed the Met's policy of dismissing officers who fail vetting to be unlawful.
Rowley stated that civil servants have been aware of deficiencies in the vetting process for over 20 years, leaving the force unable to effectively remove officers deemed unfit for duty.
He emphasized that he has received support from successive home secretaries in his calls for regulatory change, but cited delays from officials as a persistent issue.
"I could see officials were being slow and not getting on with it," Rowley said in an interview with BBC Radio 4.
In a letter published in Wednesday’s edition of The Times, three retired senior police chiefs, including former Commissioner Ian Blair, noted that efforts to address these concerns with the Home Office date back 25 years.
The letter called upon current ministers to ensure that vetting failures lead to dismissal, stating, "That nothing has changed 25 years later is bewildering."
Responding to Rowley’s allegations, a spokesperson for the Home Office stated that the government was "acting rapidly" to implement new regulations to assist police forces in the dismissal of officers who do not pass vetting requirements.
Rowley, however, indicated that a timeline for these changes has not yet been provided, expressing urgency in needing a resolution within weeks.
He stressed the financial implications of the current situation, highlighting that the cost of keeping unfit officers on special leave could total up to £7 million annually.
“It’s a ridiculous waste of taxpayers’ money,” he remarked, referring to the practice of sidelining officers while they are not active in policing.
Currently, over 100 officers are undergoing a review of their vetting status, with an additional 29 officers facing dismissal hearings due to their loss of vetting clearance.
Many of these cases relate to allegations of inappropriate behavior towards women, including allegations against Sergeant Lino Di Maria, who has faced serious charges including rape.
A recent ruling by the High Court upheld his appeal against premature dismissal.
Rowley stressed that patterns of multiple allegations against individuals should be taken seriously, particularly regarding the trustworthiness of officers who interact with vulnerable populations.
He asserted the Metropolitan Police's commitment to integrity and responsiveness to these pressing issues, asserting that efforts are ongoing to improve standards and accountability in the service.
His remarks follow a High Court ruling that deemed the Met's policy of dismissing officers who fail vetting to be unlawful.
Rowley stated that civil servants have been aware of deficiencies in the vetting process for over 20 years, leaving the force unable to effectively remove officers deemed unfit for duty.
He emphasized that he has received support from successive home secretaries in his calls for regulatory change, but cited delays from officials as a persistent issue.
"I could see officials were being slow and not getting on with it," Rowley said in an interview with BBC Radio 4.
In a letter published in Wednesday’s edition of The Times, three retired senior police chiefs, including former Commissioner Ian Blair, noted that efforts to address these concerns with the Home Office date back 25 years.
The letter called upon current ministers to ensure that vetting failures lead to dismissal, stating, "That nothing has changed 25 years later is bewildering."
Responding to Rowley’s allegations, a spokesperson for the Home Office stated that the government was "acting rapidly" to implement new regulations to assist police forces in the dismissal of officers who do not pass vetting requirements.
Rowley, however, indicated that a timeline for these changes has not yet been provided, expressing urgency in needing a resolution within weeks.
He stressed the financial implications of the current situation, highlighting that the cost of keeping unfit officers on special leave could total up to £7 million annually.
“It’s a ridiculous waste of taxpayers’ money,” he remarked, referring to the practice of sidelining officers while they are not active in policing.
Currently, over 100 officers are undergoing a review of their vetting status, with an additional 29 officers facing dismissal hearings due to their loss of vetting clearance.
Many of these cases relate to allegations of inappropriate behavior towards women, including allegations against Sergeant Lino Di Maria, who has faced serious charges including rape.
A recent ruling by the High Court upheld his appeal against premature dismissal.
Rowley stressed that patterns of multiple allegations against individuals should be taken seriously, particularly regarding the trustworthiness of officers who interact with vulnerable populations.
He asserted the Metropolitan Police's commitment to integrity and responsiveness to these pressing issues, asserting that efforts are ongoing to improve standards and accountability in the service.