For the purposes of the Scheme, Trainees are employed by the Met Police on a three year fixed term contract.  As a secure organisation, the Met Police requires all employees to be security cleared before they can work for them.

 

Why is Security Vetting Necessary?

The Met Police only allows people with the highest standards of integrity, honesty and respect for the law, to work for them.  They need to be sure that people trusted with its information or allowed to enter its buildings, are honest, reliable and trustworthy. The public and current employees expect nothing less.

 

To do this, they need to have an applicant’s personal details and information so they can perform a number of checks. Applicants complete various security clearance forms to provide this information. 

 

The forms to be completed are:

1. Initial Vetting Declaration
2. Security Questionnaire
3. Family Details Form.

Applicants are also required to complete a Health Declaration and provide two referees.

 

What Checks are Undertaken?

The vetting office check numerous police records to see if, amongst other things, the applicant or their close family, friends or co-habitees, have ever been convicted of, or cautioned for, any offence.

 

They will also check to see if there are any matters outstanding against the applicant and may also check the records of a licensed credit reference agency and other agencies.  Some applicants are interviewed if clarification is required.  This may lead to a request for certain documents (eg pay slips, bank statements, passports, etc.) to be brought to the interview.

 

How Long Do They Take To Complete Vetting?

The vetting office will always do their best to process security clearances as quickly as possible.  All checks are usually completed within five weeks for temporary staff, and within two to three months for permanent staff, but clearance times vary for each individual.  Nationality and/or the number and location of addresses a person has lived at will impact on the length of time clearance may take.  Additionally, other departments involved in the process can dictate the clearance timeframe.

 

What Effect Do Convictions Or Cautions For An Offence Have?

Convictions or cautions may not result in an automatic clearance refusal.  Each case is reviewed very carefully on its own merits and takes into account the circumstances, the time the offence took place, etc. 

 

It is important that applicants declare ALL convictions and cautions, absolute/conditional discharges and bound over results, no matter how old they are.  In terms of the vetting process, there are no spent convictions.  Non-declaration is taken very seriously as it could be deemed to be dishonest.

 

Will My Information Be Shared?

All information supplied to vetting will be kept confidential.  The only exception to this is if a clearance is agreed with 'aftercare'.  Aftercare occurs when information provided or obtained gives some cause for concern and it is seen fit to make adjustments to working arrangements.  This would be with the applicant’s consent, but would involve the applicant’s immediate line management also being informed. 

 

Is There A Right To Appeal If Clearance Is Refused?

Applicants may ask for their case to be reviewed if clearance has been refused.