West Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime responds to HMICFRS Report on Vetting, Misconduct and Misogyny

2nd November 2022

Trust in policing is vital, Deputy Mayor of Policing and Crime says, as report lists 43 recommendations for forces vetting new and existing recruits.

The Home Secretary commissioned an inspection into current vetting and counter-corruption arrangements across policing following the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Metropolitan Police Service officer in March 2021.

The inspection included assessing forces’ abilities to detect and deal with misogynistic and predatory behaviour. They found that ‘in too many places, a culture of misogyny, sexism and predatory behaviour towards members of the public and female police officers and staff still exists’.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) report: Vetting, misconduct and misogyny was released today (WED 2 NOV).

Alison Lowe OBE, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime for West Yorkshire, said:

“Trust in the police is vital for them to continue to police by consent, so I welcome the extensive recommendations contained within this report. The downright worrying misogynistic behaviours outlined in this damning report have no place in society, or in any workplace, including West Yorkshire Police.

“It has also highlighted worrying recruitment protocols which could see applicants who are unfit to serve being recruited and is something that needs to be looked at as a matter of urgency to ensure they are tightened across all forces. Especially with the uplift programme in full force.

“The murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer abusing his position was devastating and outrageous. Forces have a duty to ensure all recruits are vetted to the highest standard so communities have confidence and belief in their local officers.

“The safety of women and girls is at the centre of the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan and a fundamental principle must be that communities can trust those who are employed to protect us.

“We know West Yorkshire Police have already put in place a rolling vetting system that ensures backgrounds of employees are regularly checked. But I will be speaking with the Chief Constable about the latest recommendations and how they will be implemented locally.

“There will always be individuals in any organisation that fail to represent the expected standards and they need to be rooted out.

“It is about creating processes and systems that detects corruption and improper behaviour. It is only by developing a culture that rejects the unacceptable and having tight processes around recruitment and vetting that will see confidence in our police return.”