Police scrutiny body to tighten up security checks on members

MEMBERS and staff of the body that scrutinises Humberside Police are to undergo new vetting checks after it emerged previous tests were "sporadic" and did not meet national guidelines.

Humberside Police Authority will be asked to approve a new vetting policy for itself at its annual meeting tomorrow which would come into effect immediately. Failure to implement the policy could see the authority refused access to information it needs to discharge its role effectively, said a report by chief executive Kevin Sharp.

The policy would apply varying levels of national security and national police vetting checks to all members and staff. If approved, all members and staff would be subject to a basic check under the Cabinet Office's national security vetting rules.

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That includes a check of identity documents and criminal records and allows access to confidential information.

Members and staff with counter-terrorism or serious and organised crime responsibilities, such as the strategic policing committee, will also be required to undergo a counter-terrorism check (CTC), which covers criminal and national security records and allows access to restricted and confidential information and occasional supervised access to secret information.

The chairman and vice chairman should be cleared to CTC level and management vetting (MV) level, the latter giving access to most sensitive police information, a check which is also required for staff in control of budgets and procurement.

The chief executive, deputy chief executive and treasurer should be cleared to CTC and MV level.

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Staff would also have to comply with non-police personnel vetting checks, part of the national police vetting system which is aimed at protecting the integrity of police assets, both physical and data. Vetting clearance is intended to become a condition of employment and membership for all future recruits to the authority and its secretariat.

Anyone who fails the checks will be assessed by the force's vetting unit before a decision is taken regarding their employment or membership.

A person who refuses to take part in the vetting procedure will not be appointed and will not be able to appeal.

Existing members and staff will be expected to undergo the new vetting process. Staff who refuse to take part or do not get clearance will be risk-assessed by line managers, who will decide whether they can be "managed" in the workplace, if necessary denying them access to sensitive information.

They may also be subject to disciplinary action.

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Members who refuse or fail the test will be subject to a risk assessment or management review to determine how their work may be limited.

The authority has 17 members, nine of whom are councillors nominated by local authorities, and eight independent members. They are supported by a 15-member secretariat.

The authority's main role is to ensure the maintenance of an efficient and effective police force. It sets the budget and local objectives for the force, and monitors its performance against targets set in consultation with the chief constable and national policing objectives set by the Home Secretary.

The authority is expected to elect a new chairman at the meeting to replace outgoing chair Alene Branton. East Riding Tory councillor Chris Matthews is the only member to have submitted a statement in support of his intention to stand for election as chairman.

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