The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, has expressed frustration after the High Court ruled that police officers and staff cannot be legally dismissed if they fail enhanced vetting procedures. This decision has put the Met in a “hopeless position” and could result in over a hundred individuals who failed vetting being reinstated or allowed to stay in their jobs.
London’s victims’ commissioner, Claire Waxman, has warned that women’s safety is at risk due to this ruling. The government has stated that new laws may be rushed in if the Met’s appeal is unsuccessful. The Home Office is working to introduce new rules to help forces dismiss officers who cannot hold vetting.
The vetting scheme, introduced after the murder of Sarah Everard, allows the Met to review vetting when adverse information is received about an officer or staff member. Those who fail vetting could face dismissal or be placed on special vetting leave. The Met had removed vetting from 96 officers and staff before the court ruling.
Rowley criticized the Metropolitan Police Federation for bringing the case, particularly concerning an officer facing allegations of serious misconduct towards women. The federation defended their actions, stating that they had raised concerns about the legality of the vetting scheme to the Met earlier on.
The court ruling found that the Met had breached human rights laws by not providing a fair hearing to dismissed officers. The decision has left the Met leadership shocked and frustrated, and they are exploring the least bad options for the affected officers. It remains to be seen how this situation will evolve and what actions the government and the Met will take in response.
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