Police hired recruits with criminal records

The inspection looked into how Avon and Somerset Police vets new recruits and handles complaints

Avon and Somerset Police hired new recruits with criminal records without properly considering the risks, according to a report by inspectors.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) assessed the force in three areas, which covered professional standards and counter-corruption arrangements as well as vetting.

HMICFRS found that of 37 vetting cases it investigated, the force did not "consider identified risks or relevant risk mitigations" for 10 of them, concluding the force requires improvement "in all areas" looked at.

In response, deputy chief constable Jon Reilly said: "We are committed to continuous improvement and welcome ongoing scrutiny."

The report, part of an integrity inspection programme by HMICFRS, found that one particular case involved a recruit who posed "several significant corruption risks".

The inspectors noted the person was was initially refused clearance by the vetting unit, but this was later overturned by senior officers and the person was employed.

The report said: "Given the corruption risk posed, this isn't acceptable."

It also found that one applicant's son had "serious criminal matters recorded on police systems".

The report concluded the constabulary needed to ensure its vetting unit is "adequately staffed" to meet demand but added it had been "working well with other departments" and worked on its "relationships with partners to identify potential corruption".

Improvements to how the force monitors its IT systems to help identify data breaches and "computer misuse" are also recommended in the report.

'Integrity is fundamental'

Kathryn Stone, His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, said it was important that those "working to keep our communities safe can be trusted to do so".

"If police officers or staff are found to be involved in misconduct, it reduces public trust and confidence in the police service," she said.

"We were disappointed to find that the constabulary requires improvement in all areas of our inspection," she added.

Ms Stone said the inspectorate would continue to monitor the force's progress.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "We recognise that our integrity is fundamental to the public's trust and confidence in policing, and to our legitimacy to serve our communities.

"Over the past four years, we have invested significant resources money, technology, and some of our best people into our Professional Standards Department (PSD), Counter Corruption Unit (CCU), and Vetting," they added.

"We are grateful that the recent report from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) acknowledges the progress we have made and highlights other areas for improvement, which will be invaluable in our journey to becoming an outstanding police service."