Police Barred List
Explained (UK)
What is the police barred list? Learn who is placed on it, how long it lasts, and how it affects future employment in UK policing.
Executive Summary
The police barred list prevents certain individuals from working in policing.
It is managed nationally by the College of Policing. Being placed on it usually follows dismissal for gross misconduct or serious criminal convictions.
1. What Is the Police Barred List?
The barred list is a statutory register of individuals barred from working in policing in England and Wales.
2. Who Decides Barred List Placement?
The College of Policing makes the final barred list determination. Cases are referred following gross misconduct dismissal or conviction. It is not decided by the misconduct panel alone.
3. When Does Someone Get Referred?
Automatic referral usually follows:
- 1 Dismissal without notice for gross misconduct.
- 2 Dismissal at an accelerated hearing.
- 3 Resignation during gross misconduct proceedings (where dismissal would have been the outcome).
4. Is Barred List Placement Automatic?
No.
Dismissal triggers referral. Referral triggers assessment. Assessment determines outcome. Placement is not mechanically automatic — but in gross misconduct dismissals, it is common.
5. How Long Does It Last?
Indefinitely. There is no automatic expiry. Once barred, you cannot work in policing in England & Wales.
6. Can You Appeal?
Internal Appeal
Challenging the misconduct finding itself through the Police Appeals Tribunal.
Judicial Review
In limited circumstances where legal errors occurred in the process.
Barred List Risk Overview
Select your current status to understand referral risk.
Without dismissal, resignation during proceedings, or criminal conviction, barred list placement is unlikely.
*Educational guidance only. Not legal advice. The College of Policing makes all final decisions.
7. Resignation is Not a Shield
Resigning before a hearing does not guarantee avoidance. Proceedings can continue, and if the finding is that you would have been dismissed, referral still occurs.
8. Impact on Pension
Barred list placement does NOT automatically affect pension rights. Pension forfeiture is a separate process.
Pension Rules →9. Is the Barred List Public?
The list is not fully public (like a sex offenders register). However, employers in policing must check it before hiring. It operates similarly to safeguarding barred lists in other sectors.
10. Misconduct vs. Barred List
Misconduct hearing decides employment outcome (e.g. fired from Force A). Barred list determination decides future eligibility across all forces (e.g. banned from Forces A-Z).
11. Criminal Convictions
Convictions related to corruption, dishonesty, or abuse of position may trigger barred list consideration even outside internal dismissal context.
Common Questions
What is the police barred list?
A national register preventing certain individuals from working in policing following serious misconduct or criminal conviction.
How long are you on the police barred list?
Indefinitely. There is no automatic expiry.
Can you appeal being placed on the barred list?
Yes, but only through formal legal routes challenging the underlying decision.
Does being dismissed always mean barred list placement?
Dismissal triggers referral, but the College of Policing makes the final determination.
Can you rejoin policing after being barred?
No, unless the barred status is successfully overturned.
"Dismissal is serious. Barred list placement is more serious. Both follow statutory processes."