Vetting helps us ensure that everyone who joins Lancashire Constabulary meets the high standards of honesty, integrity and professionalism expected in policing.

Why do we vet people? 

Vetting is conducted in the police service to help identify, assess and manage risk. Vetting assists with identifying individuals who are unsuitable to work in the police service and have access to police assets. This includes people who:  

• are unsuitable through criminal activity or association  

• pose a risk to the public and to those who are particularly vulnerable  

• have a demonstrable lack of honesty  

• have previously behaved in a manner that is inconsistent with the standards of professional behaviour  

• are financially vulnerable  

• lack the necessary maturity or self-control, even if their integrity is not in question  

What should I expect? 

If you have been successful in the recruitment process, you will be emailed a link to a vetting questionnaire to complete.

You may be required to provide information about: 

• Your personal details and address history 

• Employment and education history 

• Family members, partner and co-residents 

• Previous police contact 

• Convictions, cautions or ongoing investigations 

• Social media accounts 

• Financial information where relevant to the role 

The Vetting Team will carry out a series of checks and may contact you if further information or clarification is needed. 

Criminal Convictions 

Lancashire Constabulary apply the criminal convictions guidance contained in the College of Policing Vetting Code of Practice and associated Authorised Professional Practice (APP) in relation to all Police Officer and Special Constable applications. 

It is not appropriate to identify a prescriptive list of convictions and cautions that should lead to a vetting rejection. Each case should be considered on its own individual merits in relation to the role being undertaken and assets being accessed, subject to the rejection criteria highlighted below. 

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 does not apply to any Police Officer and Special Constable posts. 

Applications for a position as a Police Officer or a Special Constable are to be rejected in all cases where: 

• offences were committed as an adult or juvenile which resulted in a prison sentence (including custodial, suspended or deferred sentence and sentences served at a young offenders’ institution or community home); or 

• the applicant is a registered sex offender or is subject to a registration requirement in respect of any other conviction. 

For all other convictions or cautions there is a rebuttable presumption that vetting clearance will be declined, especially where the criminal offence: 

• relates to dishonest or corrupt practices  

• relates to violence  

• is a contact or non-contact sexual offence  

• demonstrates a targeting of persons due to their vulnerabilities or protected characteristics (including offences motivated by hate or discrimination, domestic abuse or where vulnerable people were targeted).  

Applicants will be asked to provide the details of their partner/spouse, their close family members such as parents and siblings, any other co-residents and any associates that have been involved in criminal activity. 

Financial Checks 

Financial checks are carried out to assess whether you have been, are currently or are likely to be financially vulnerable and therefore could be susceptible to coercion. 

Applications are likely to be rejected in cases where: 

• an existing county court judgement is outstanding 

• the individual has been registered bankrupt and not discharged the bankruptcy 

• the bankruptcy discharge was less than three years ago. 

• there has been a Debt Relief Order (these are treated in the same way as bankruptcy). 

Applicants who can show they have and are adhering to debt management arrangements may be considered. Documentary evidence will be required to demonstrate your commitment and adherence to any such debt management arrangements. Each case will be considered on its individual merits. 

The importance of honesty 

Honesty and integrity are fundamental values in policing. 

A previous incident or police contact will not necessarily prevent someone from joining Lancashire Constabulary. However, failing to disclose relevant information can raise concerns about honesty and integrity and may affect the outcome of your application. 

If you are unsure whether something should be declared, include it. 

Vetting Decisions and Appeals 

If you are granted vetting clearance the Recruitment team will be notified and they will be in contact with you to continue your onboarding process.   

When vetting clearance is declined you will be notified directly by the Vetting team and provided with a rationale for the decline unless there is a valid reason not to. For example, if withholding information from you is:  

• necessary to prevent the premature or inappropriate disclosure of information that is relevant to, or may be used in any, criminal or misconduct proceedings  

• necessary in the interests of national security.  

• necessary for the purpose of the prevention or detection of crime, or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders.  

• necessary for the prevention or detection of misconduct by other police officers or police staff members or their apprehension for such matters.  

• justified on the grounds that providing the information would involve disproportionate effort in comparison to the seriousness of the matter concerned.  

• necessary and proportionate for the protection of the welfare and safety of any informant, witness or any other third party.  

• otherwise in the public interest.  

Where vetting clearance is declined applicants will have the right of appeal.  There are three grounds upon which you can appeal the decision:  

• the decision was unreasonable  

• there is information that could not reasonably have been considered by the original decision maker or evidence that could not reasonably have been considered as part of the withdrawal assessment, which could have materially affected the decision, or  

• there was a breach of the procedures set out in The Police (Vetting) Regulations 2025 or other vetting withdrawal or decline procedure, or any unfairness which could have materially affected the decision.  

The appeal decision is final. 

Our commitment to fairness 

Lancashire Constabulary is committed to ensuring that vetting decisions are: 

• Fair 

• Consistent 

• Proportionate 

• Evidence-based 

We recognise that every individual and every set of circumstances is different.  

Before you submit your vetting application 

✅ Read all guidance and the questions carefully 
✅ Provide complete and accurate information 
✅ Declare all relevant police contact, however minor you believe it to be 
✅ Respond promptly to requests for additional information 
✅ Be open and honest throughout the process 

Integrity starts with your application. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

What does the process involve? 

You will be emailed a link to online form and asked to provide information to confirm your identity and proof of address. Additional information may be requested for some roles. 

If you are applying for a police staff, police officer or special constable role you will also be required to provide full details for the following that apply: 

• parents – including step-parents 

• children over the age of 10 years – including step/adoptive/foster children 

• siblings – including half-siblings and step-siblings 

• spouse, or partner – including ex-partners from within the last 3 years 

• partner’s parents – including step-parents  

• co-residents 

• anybody you know that’s involved in criminal activities or has a conviction or caution (family members or friends). 

Details provided will be checked against criminal, intelligence and national security records, along with public records and credit reference agencies. Social media checks will also be carried out. 

What is meant by the term criminal associate? 

Criminal association relates to your association with persons who have a criminal record or have been engaged in criminal activities. If you have friends or relatives (including estranged family members) who fall into this category, their details must be included. 

It is possible that you may belong to clubs and organisations where fellow members fall into the above-mentioned category. If this information is known to you, it should be included.  

What happens if I don’t disclose something about my past or about my family members? 

Providing false or misleading information or omitting details which should be disclosed as part of the vetting process will be treated as an integrity issue.  This could result in your application being declined. Furthermore, your vetting clearance could be removed at a later date if it comes to light that you knowingly withheld the information.  It is always better to be open and honest. 

What can I do to ensure my vetting application is not delayed unnecessarily? 

Providing accurate, detailed information upfront will help make the process more straight-forward. Tips include: 

• ensure maiden names, dates of birth and addresses are provided for everybody listed on your form 

• read the guidance provided on the vetting application form 

• read the question carefully 

• if there’s certain information you can’t provide, outline why in the free text boxes provided if you cannot put the information in the question boxes provided 

• ensure all County Court Judgements are satisfied (if applicable) 

• have all relevant financial information to hand, particularly if you are being vetted for an MV clearance. This may include but is not limited to: 

• up-to-date Individual Voluntary Arrangement documents (if applicable) 

• monthly expenditure 

• monthly income – which includes your partner/spouse’s income 

• state benefit details 

• declare any previous contact with the police i.e. arrests, reprimands, warnings, cautions, convictions, involvement in police investigations etc. 

• provide details of previous vetting, including which organisation completed the vetting. All previous vetting declines must be declared. 

• check your email regularly (including junk/spam folder) for any response or request for further information 

If my personal circumstances change after I have submitted my vetting form do I need to notify you? 

Yes.  You are required to inform the Vetting unit of any changes to your personal circumstances.  This may include: 

• change of partner, marital status or civil partnership. 

• change of name or address. 

• change of co-resident(s). 

• significant changes affecting your financial status. Examples include a county court judgement, participation in a debt management plan or being in receipt of unexpected funds not normally received through daily activities. 

• being the subject of, or a person of interest in, a criminal investigation. 

• involvement with police, except as a victim or witness of crime. 

• changes in reportable associations. 

• any new associations with any individual involved in criminal activity or any person who associates with others involved in criminal activity. 

• involvement in or approaches made by any political, religious or protest group whose aims and objectives may contradict the duty to promote racial, religious and social equality. 

• being the subject of civil proceedings or protective measures, including but not limited to: 

• domestic violence protection notice 

• female genital mutilation protection order 

• forced marriage protection order 

• non-molestation order 

• restraining order 

• occupation order 

• harassment warning 

• sexual harm prevention order 

• sexual risk order 

• stalking protection order 

• slavery and trafficking prevention and risk order 

• violent offender order 

• anti-social behaviour order 

• football spectator banning order 

 How long will the vetting process take? 

The length of time it takes can be dependent on several factors, those being: 

• your forms being complete and accurate 

• the need to conduct checks in other force areas and/or other countries 

• your availability should a vetting interview be required 

• where we are working on large intakes you may be scheduled later in the 6-8 week vetting window. 

• general demand and priorities can impact timescales 

How long will my vetting last? 

This depends on the level of vetting required.  Clearance can range from 3 years to 10 years and all officers and police staff and selected non-police personnel will be required to maintain vetting clearance by engaging in the Annual Integrity and Vetting Review process with your supervisor.  There is also an on-going obligation on you to report any change of circumstances to the vetting unit.  Upon receipt of this a focused review of your vetting clearance will be conducted.   

Who do I contact for advice on police vetting? 

Contact the Vetting Unit directly for any vetting advice: 

[email protected]