Met Police to Face Independent Inquiry Over Vetting Failures of Hundreds of Recruits
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has ordered an independent special inquiry into whether the Metropolitan Police allowed around 300 recruits hired between 2016 and 2023 to join the force without proper vetting. The inquiry will be conducted by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).
This decision follows findings from the Met Police’s internal investigation, Operation Jorica, which began months prior and identified potential vetting issues concerning officers recruited during the specified period. The recruits are under scrutiny amid concerns that some may have undergone substandard or no vetting at all, posing a possible criminal risk.
The issue arises in the broader context of the police uplift programme from 2020 to 2023, during which around 20,000 officers were recruited amid ongoing pressures following a decade of staffing cuts. The accelerated recruitment process may have contributed to lapses in properly vetting candidates.
Historical vetting failures, including those involving Wayne Couzens, known for the Sarah Everard case, and David Carrick, have highlighted ongoing risks in vetting and accountability within the Met. A report by Louise Casey in October 2022 previously found flawed vetting and practices that allowed individuals suspected of serious offences to either join or remain in the force. These vetting issues are believed to predate 2022 and could have wider implications for other police forces.
The Home Secretary and officials have been kept informed of the Met’s review findings. The Met Police described its ongoing review of vetting and hiring practices as part of efforts to raise standards and restore public trust in the force.
