Surrey Police vetting requires improvement – report

Surrey Police has been told it requires improvement by inspectors

The vetting procedures and upholding professional behaviour at Surrey Police have been rated as "requires improvement" by inspectors.

The force has been criticised over delays in vetting new applicants and serving officers.

The findings are in a report into vetting, professional standards and counter corruption published by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) on Friday.

Surrey Police said it fully accepted the findings in the report and recognised there were "significant areas for improvement highlighted".

At the time of the inspection, the force had 530 vetting applications waiting to be processed, according to the report.

There were a further 439 designated posts where the postholder had recruitment vetting, not the required higher management vetting clearance required.

Surrey Police had 22 people in designated posts with expired management vetting.

'A number of things to do'

The force was also told it needs to improve how it upholds standards of professional behaviour and addresses potential breaches.

"Public confidence in the police depends on police officers and staff showing high standards of professional behaviour," inspectors wrote.

The report said Surrey Police needed to better respond to complaints and conduct allegations, such as by improving how quickly it handles and documents them.

It took more than 14 days to make an initial handling decision in eight cases, the report stated.

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The force also needs to more efficiently and effectively learn as an organisation, said the report.

Roy Wilsher, a member of the inspection team, said his concerns were not "too great".

"A number of the things Surrey need to do, extra training, some extra capacity, better paperwork in their decision making, are things they can put right very quickly, and I'm confident they will," he said.

Tackling potential corruption was rated as good in the report.

'Working hard'

Deputy Chief Constable Tanya Jones said the force welcomed the report.

"When police officers, police staff, or volunteers, are involved in misconduct or criminality, it has a direct impact on public trust and confidence and, in turn, our legitimacy to fight crime, protect people, and be there for everyone who needs us," she said.

"While it is positive that the HMICFRS identified good practice, particularly in our ability to tackle potential corruption, we fully accept the findings in the report and recognise there are significant areas for improvement highlighted.

"We are working hard on improving these areas, with advancements already being made since the inspection. We will prioritise these recommendations, make the necessary improvements and be transparent about our progress with our people, and the public."