All of this information is in the public domain and freely accessible.A Police Officer/Staff would normally undergo three types, CRB, Security & Financial.
CRB – Will normally be at enhanced level, this check will interrogate databases listing criminal convictions, sex offenders register and watch lists for vulnerable groups such as those who can not work with children or at risk adults. This can take up to six weeks.
Security Vetting – This is the most in-depth and has a number of levels, the standards set out in the Manual of Protective Security and now consists of 5 levels and allows certain access to Protectively Marked Material (PMM):
- BC - Basic Check, allows access to RESTRICTED information and supervised access to Confidential
- CTC – Counter Terrorist Check , for people who work in sensitive areas, does not allow access to PMM
- SC – Security Check, allows access to Secret and supervised access to Top Secret, will be reviewed no later than every 10 years.
- SCE – Security Check Enhanced, this is a new level brought in by HMG in July 2007, allows unrestricted access to Secret material for staff working on Top Secret Information but do not require unrestricted access to Top Secret Documents.
- DV – Developed Vetting, this would allow routine and unrestricted access to Top Secret marked material and below, this would be reviewed no later than every five years.
Checks up to SC level would normally result in checks against the PNC, Security Service Records and Financial Checks (Credit Reference).
SCE and above would also include direct interviews with the Vetting Officer as well as references being obtained from friends/family and employment. And may include further interviews.
Due to its very nature security Vetting can take unto six months as the checks will be detailed, if there are periods outside of the UK then the checks may well take longer.
Above all be
PATIENT, it will take as long as it takes, chasing forces for this may well hinder you application rather than aid it.
