Women’s Aid respond to the High Court ruling on the Met Police vetting dismissal scheme
Sophie Francis-Cansfield, Head of Policy at Women’s Aid, said:
“The ruling made in the High Court this week, which has found the Metropolitan Police’s vetting dismissal scheme unlawful, highlights the continued lack of understanding around the nature of domestic abuse and sexual misconduct by police officers. This decision has been made despite evidence showing time and time again that there are profound issues in police vetting processes, which have allowed dangerous perpetrators to join police ranks and exploit their powerful positions for abuse. Forces need to be able to take action against those who are accused of misconduct, including violence against women and girls, and are no longer fit to keep their vetted status.
Women’s Aid supports recommendations made by HMICFRS and the Angiolini Inquiry relating to vetting, recruitment, misconduct and misogyny in policing. We also support the 12-point plan for responding to police perpetrated domestic abuse recommended by the Centre for Women’s Justice, which includes external police forces carrying out all criminal investigations into police perpetrators.
The Home Office should regularly monitor the introduction of these recommendations, ensuring police forces are held to account. Survivors of abuse need to feel that they can confidently report their experiences to the police, when the perpetrator is an officer but also when they are not. This will only be possible if tangible changes are made, and forces have the power to remove those accused of misconduct from ranks.”
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