§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on changes made to the recruitment criteria for police officers in England and Wales in the last five years; and what further changes he plans. [30451]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Police Regulations 1995 (as amended) set out qualifications for appointment to a police force.
The Home Office provides medical and eyesight guidelines. These were issued in Home Office Circular (HOC) 9/95 and last revised in March 1998 by HOC 7/98.
161WA Home Office project is under way to establish national recruitment standards (NRS) for the police service. It is reviewing all current entry requirements, to ensure they are job-related, evidence-based and nondiscriminatory.
NRS guidelines on age, previous criminal convictions and tattoos were issued in October 2001.
We are putting in place a national fitness test for recruitment. The intention is that from 1 April 2002 recruits should be tested using the job-related fitness test (JRFT), against a set national standard.
A change to the nationality requirement for entry to the police service was published in the Police Reform Bill on 25 January. It will allow European Economic Area (EEA) and other foreign nationals who are living in the United Kingdom free of restrictions to join the police service.
As part of the NRS project the medical and eyesight guidelines are currently under review, with recommendations due this summer.
A review of the police initial recruitment test (PIRT) is also taking place to ensure that it is job-related, non-discriminatory and consistent with the national competency framework.
We are currently developing a common competency based application form and pack consistent with the national competency framework which will be used by all forces.
The NRS work is due to be completed by April 2003.