Statutory guidance

Withdrawal of police vetting clearance

Guidance on the police vetting withdrawal and dismissal process.

• From: Home Office
• Published: 22 July 2025

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Statutory guidance: withdrawal of police vetting clearance

PDF, 565 KB, 69 pages

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Details

This guidance relates to the processes and procedures for police vetting withdrawal assessments and subsequent proceedings including:

• the requirement for police officers to hold and maintain a vetting clearance
• the process for determining whether clearance should be withdrawn
• the procedures for information gathering (including interviews)
• the relationship between vetting withdrawals and other regimes such as performance procedures and criminal proceedings
• appeal processes

The guidance should be understood by all individuals who serve in policing and are therefore subject to the Vetting Code of Practice and Vetting Authorised Professional Practice, as well as line managers who have responsibilities under the processes described.

The guidance also helps those who are the subject of assessments and proceedings to understand the processes involved.

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Published 22 July 2025