Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has been rated as ‘requiring improvement’ in its vetting procedures and told to take urgent action to improve the way it handles complaints and professional standards, according to a new report by HMICFRS.
Inspectors from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services assessed the constabulary’s effectiveness in 3 key areas: vetting, upholding professional behaviour standards, and tackling corruption. While the force was judged ‘adequate’ in two of these categories, its approach to vetting police officers and staff was found to be lacking.
The report found that the force’s vetting unit is struggling with backlogs and resource shortages, with over 460 applications unprocessed and 203 personnel awaiting renewal of expired vetting.
Alarmingly, 110 individuals were in posts requiring higher-level clearance without current or valid vetting in place.
The report also highlights that:
- Vetting staff failed to identify adverse information in some cases, resulting in clearances being granted inappropriately.
- The constabulary has not yet addressed several recommendations made in a 2022 report regarding misconduct and misogyny.
- Disproportionality in vetting decisions is not being formally analysed, despite new data systems being in place since March 2024.
In addition, the professional standards department was criticised for delays in communicating with complainants and failing to consistently identify serious misconduct. In several reviewed cases, allegations that should have been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct were mishandled or misclassified.
The report acknowledges the force’s efforts in training, transparency, and organisational learning. However, it warns that improvements must be made to maintain public confidence.
It was also noted in the report that in 9 of the 20 public complaint cases reviewed, there were unacceptable delays in notifying complainants how their concerns would be handled – with some taking over 14 days.
As well as this, some serious allegations (e.g. broken bones in custody, significant injuries from police dogs) were incorrectly handled through minor resolution pathways instead of being immediately referred to the IOPC.
The full report can be accessed at www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk.
Cuts have consequences.
Surprised though. With Donna at the helm I thought it was all tickety boo.
What is this report telling us that they are the good bad and the ugly face of policing
It’s not just them, other large organisations here are lacking too.
They should look into corruption, bullying and backward thinking in
more places on this island.