Can anyone assist with a police entry criteria question

[alan36]

Basically when applying to be a police officer what background checks are carried out on parents e.g. criminal/financial?

[IT1GTR]

alan36 said:

Basically when applying to be a police officer what background checks are carried out on parents e.g. criminal/financial?

My understanding is that both will be carried out. There is a mix of Government Security clearance, CTC or SC depending on force/role and then the forces own internal vetting to check you / your family / your associates against local police databases. Credit searches are also undertaken. You'll also need to provide DNA and Fingerprints if successful.

Family with convictions or debt isn't necessarily a bar, but you must declare absolutely everything on the vetting forms, this is looked at case by case and will depend on circumstances. Failing to declare things on the vetting forms goes against the "honesty and integrity" values of a police officer and will result in the application being rejected immediately.

To summerise, just declare absolutely everything and see what happens.

[Earthdweller]

The checks are really not much greater than any other role that needs security clearance apart from the background of the applicant and family

Criminal associations is probably the biggest difference

Having a criminal records is likely to be a deal breaker though not necessarily as is having a family of professional thieves

If the applicant is known to the Police intelligence systems in a negative way it could also affect the application

There are multiple variables but for instance having had a couple of speeding tickets would be looked at differently from a conviction for drink drive

[Bigends]

This from the West Yorks police website. I'd assume all forces Policies will be similar

https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/jobs-volunteer...

[alan36]

It's mainly the parents really, one of them was bankrupt a couple of years ago and was wondering if that would affect things.

[edthefed]

They lookbat the likely pressure on the applicant from family and associates.

Each case is different...depends on how banktuptcy happened, suims involved , CVA etc.

Does the applicant live at wiith the bankrupt parent ooor miles away etc etc

[LosingGrip]

alan36 said:

It's mainly the parents really, one of them was bankrupt a couple of years ago and was wondering if that would affect things.

I doubt a parents finances will make a difference. Criminal records yes, and possibly your finances (IE you have a gambling problem, not you have debt...i had £15,000 and it wasn't a problem).

Vetting is however a grey area where they often can't tell you why you've failed.

[Terzo123]

The recruitment teams are fairly pragmatic.

They will not hold an individual to account for their families mistakes. However if they ask, and you fail to disclose something, then that's a different matter.

[Chozza]

Fail to disclose is the important thing !

Accept that they already know everything about your family and your past. What they are looking for is if there is something that could be used in future to undermine your integrity.. this is much more important than someone in your family not being good with money.

My personal favourite vetting question is ...Do you frequent any online forums and what is your username :-)

[meatballs]

Chozza said:

Fail to disclose is the important thing !

Accept that they already know everything about your family and your past. What they are looking for is if there is something that could be used in future to undermine your integrity.. this is much more important than someone in your family not being good with money.

My personal favourite vetting question is ...Do you frequent any online forums and what is your username :-)

Hands over 5 pages of printouts from password manager...