Vetting decisions to be made by the Chief Officer

​​Request 792042713

Following on from FOI 773123805. Provide the either an extract or full document from the internal process or policy to evidence it is standard practice for vetting decisions to be made by the Chief Officer?

Response

FOI request 773123805 stated that “a decision to award vetting clearance is pending a decision by the Chief Officer.”

Information published by the College of Policing confirms that Chief Officers hold overall responsibility and accountability for ensuring their force maintains an effective vetting regime. The Vetting Code of Practice outlines the expectations placed on Chief Officers and their strategic role in maintaining professional standards across the organisation.

The accompanying Authorised Professional Practice (APP) guidance provides further detail on operational processes. It makes clear that routine vetting assessments and decisions are carried out by Force Vetting Units (FVUs). These units are responsible for conducting checks, assessing risk, and determining vetting outcomes in accordance with national standards, operating within the framework set by the Chief Officer.

Updated guidance also notes that Chief Officers oversee and enforce high vetting standards but does not indicate that they typically make individual vetting determinations themselves. Their involvement is primarily strategic, ensuring compliance, consistency, and appropriate oversight.

For these reasons, it is not “standard practice” for a Chief Officer to personally make vetting clearance decisions.

Where a case is escalated to the Chief Officer, this would usually be due to exceptional or sensitive circumstances, such as adverse information, an appeal, or another matter requiring higher-level consideration.

The full Authorised Professional Practice (APP) guidance on vetting can be accessed here: Vetting | College of Policing​​​