Police vetting can include unproved allegations

Police forces will be able to consider even unproved allegations when vetting potential officers in the recruitment process.

The Met Police won a legal battle that saw the Court of Appeal overturn a High Court judgement from February last year that prevented forces from doing so.

The initial case arose when an officer accused of three rapes was removed and sought a judicial review.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley called the latest judgement "common sense" and aligned with expectations that "officers should not carry a back catalogue of alarming allegations".

He added: "While every individual has the right to bring a judicial review, I remain surprised the Met Police Federation funded his legal action, using subscription fees of their members.

"It is hard to believe their female members backed the use of their funds to keep an alleged rapist in the Met."

The Court of Appeal ruled that decision-makers must be able to consider all available information, including allegations that were not proven.

It said vetting decisions required judgements about future risk rather than proof of past events supported new Home Office regulations introduced in May 2025 that close gaps in vetting laws.

Officers who fail vetting after a fair process automatically lose their jobs.

The Met is continuing its review of officers highlighted through Operation Assure.

It is also applying the strengthened framework to new cases as part of its ongoing efforts to raise standards and restore public confidence.

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