Failing Police Vetting
Served Officer (UK)
What happens if clearance is withdrawn? Understand the process, redeployment rules, dismissal risk and appeal routes.
Executive Summary
Vetting is not permanent. It can be withdrawn.
If clearance is removed while you are serving, consequences range from redeployment to dismissal. It depends on risk mitigation and role availability.
1. What Is Police Vetting?
Police vetting assesses integrity, financial risk, associations, criminal links, and national security risk.
Officers must maintain vetting throughout service.
2. Can Vetting Be Withdrawn After Service?
Yes.
Common triggers include new convictions, financial distress (CCJs/Bankruptcy), undeclared associations, or intelligence links. Length of service does not guarantee protection.
3. Immediate Consequences
You may be removed from a sensitive role, placed on restricted duties, or temporarily redeployed. Vetting removal does not automatically equal dismissal immediately.
4. Operational Criticality
Certain roles (Counter-terrorism, Firearms) require higher clearance. If vetting is lost, options narrow significantly.
5. The Procedural Process
Step 1 – Notification
You receive written notification. Reasons may be summarised or limited (intelligence).
Step 2 – Representation
You allow opportunity to provide info, challenge inaccuracies, or submit mitigation.
Step 3 – Review Decision
Force Vetting Unit confirms: Reinstate, Modify, or Maintain Withdrawal.
6. Can You Appeal?
Most forces provide an internal review process focusing on fairness and proportionality. National security elements may limit disclosure.
7. Dismissal Risk
Yes — but indirectly. If you cannot perform duties of a constable due to clearance removal, the force considers termination on capability instructions.
8. Redeployment?
Forces must consider alternative roles. In smaller forces, this is harder. In larger forces, some non-vetted options may exist.
Vetting Risk Awareness Tool
Select factors to estimate clearance withdrawal risk.
No significant risk factors selected. Ensure you report any changes in circumstances immediately.
*Educational guidance only. Not legal advice. Vetting decisions are made by Force Vetting Units.
9. Financial Failures
Common triggers: Undeclared CCJs, high unsecured debt, gambling. Mitigation is key: Debt plans, evidence of repayment, transparency.
10. Association Risk
Risk triggers: Relationships with offenders, family investigations. Forces assess proximity and influence.
11. Intelligence
Intelligence can lawfuly impact vetting even without criminal conviction.
12. Pension Impact
Vetting withdrawal does NOT affect pension directly.
If dismissal follows, pension becomes deferred. No automatic forfeiture occurs.
Pension Rules →13. Transfers
Unlikely.
Receiving forces conduct full vetting. Withdrawal history is disclosed.
15. Common Misunderstandings
Vetting is permanent.
RealityIt is continuous and re-assessed.
Only convictions matter.
RealityFinancial and association risks matter equally.
Common Questions
Can a serving officer be dismissed for failing vetting?
Yes, if clearance removal makes it impossible to perform duties and no alternative role exists.
Does failing vetting mean gross misconduct?
No. Vetting withdrawal is administrative, not disciplinary.
Can vetting be reinstated?
Yes, if risk is mitigated or information corrected.
Does vetting withdrawal affect pension?
No. Pension rights are preserved unless separate forfeiture process occurs.
Can you transfer forces after vetting failure?
Transfers are extremely unlikely until clearance is restored.
"Vetting protects operational integrity. Understanding the process reduces uncertainty."