Vetting Policy - PD 130 - Lincolnshire Police

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED4. INTRODUCTION/LEGAL BASIS4.1 The origins/background informationLincolnshire Police is committed to the maintenance of high levels of honesty andintegrity and to the prevention and disruption of dishonest, unethical andunprofessional behaviour. A comprehensive and proportionate vetting strategy willassist the Chief Constable to maintain an efficient and effective Force as required bythe Police Act 1996. It also assists in the compliance with Principle 7 of the DataProtection Act 1998, Section 8 of the Official Secrets Act 1989, Section 115 Crimeand Disorder Act 1998 and Section 82 of the Police Reform Act 2002 and theCabinet Office Security Policy Framework.4.2 Motivators/Driving ForcesTo provide the Force, its officers and staff, together with procedures to follow and toensure compliance with the ACPO National Vetting Policy for the Police Community.This is turn is designed to ensure the public has confidence in Lincolnshire Police.4.3 General Principles of the PolicyTo ensure that the Force has a robust and consistent system for vetting all thosewishing to work with or for Lincolnshire Police and that the individuals concerned arevetted to a level appropriate to the level of access to sensitive and ProtectivelyMarked information and assets they enjoy. Additionally, the policy will provide a highlevel of assurance that the vetting levels held retain their currency by theimplementation of a meaningful system of vetting Aftercare.To achieve the above the Vetting Unit will carry out checks on all working with orwishing to work with or for Lincolnshire Police. This will necessarily involve officers,Special Constables, support staff, contractors, agency staff and volunteers. Thesechecks include searching databases held both within the Force and nationallytogether with financial checks, Security Service checks and enquiries with otherForces and organisations where necessary. Additionally, the Unit will be responsiblefor conducting the Aftercare process on all those holding Designated 1 Posts.All personnel who have access to any part of the Lincolnshire Police site, its assets,systems or information will be subject to a vetting procedure commensurate with therisk involved in providing such access.The decision on whether an applicant’s vetting is approved, rejected or withdrawnrests entirely with Force Vetting Officer (FVO). This decision however is open toreview and / or appeal. (The procedures are detailed at SOP 9)The Force Vetting Officer is to ensure that all information provided by applicants orgathered during the vetting process remains secure and is treated confidentially.1 Those personnel having access to our more sensitive & Protectively Marked information.- 4 -