Almost all civilian personnel working with the police will need to pass NPPV checks. Here’s what’s involved in the process, the different levels of clearance and some key questions applicants may have.
There are many opportunities to work with the police beyond becoming an officer. Civilian roles in IT, maintenance, administration or community outreach all play a vital part in supporting police work and keeping communities safe. However, because these positions often involve access to police premises or sensitive information, it’s essential that every individual is carefully checked for their integrity and trustworthiness.
This is where non-police personnel vetting, or NPPV, comes in. If you’re applying for a support or civilian role working alongside the police, the chances are you’ll need to undergo this process. Therefore, understanding what it involves is essential if you’re to make a successful application.
NPPV is the process used to check the suitability of individuals who aren’t police officers but will be required to work alongside them, in the same locations and handling the same information. This police vetting process covers contractors, suppliers, volunteers and staff from partner agencies working alongside police forces. While police officers undergo their own vetting processes, NPPV is specifically designed for those who are not sworn officers but still need to operate within secure environments.
It’s important to note that NPPV is no less thorough than vetting for officers. In fact, it can be more intensive than basic recruitment vetting, especially for roles where there’s a risk of unauthorised access or potential for corruption. Different levels of NPPV exist, depending on the type of work and how much access the role requires, with higher levels involving more detailed background checks.
NPPV is crucial because it helps protect police forces from risks posed by individuals who could misuse their access to premises, data or systems. By ensuring everyone who handles police information is reliable and trustworthy, forces can safeguard sensitive information, maintain the integrity of their operations and uphold public confidence in policing.
NPPV checks are required for any civilian who needs access to police premises, systems or sensitive information as part of their work. This includes a wide range of non-police personnel, from contractors and agency staff to volunteers and employees of partner organisations.
Because these individuals can come into contact with classified or confidential data, or simply need unsupervised access to secure areas, vetting is necessary to ensure they are trustworthy and do not pose a risk to police operations.
In practice, almost everyone working with the police in some capacity will need to obtain NPPV clearance. Examples of roles that typically require it include:
NPPV isn’t a single clearance but a structured system made up of three distinct levels, the middle of which is separated into two distinct categories. Each level has progressively tougher requirements, depending on the type of access the role involves. The more sensitive or classified the information or systems someone needs to work with, the higher the level of clearance required.
Understanding these levels helps you know what to expect during vetting and why certain checks are necessary for your role. All clearances include basic checks such as comparing your details to the Police National Computer and Police National Database to determine whether you have any criminal convictions or investigations that would preclude you from working with the police. This check may also extend to close family members at higher levels.
Here is a breakdown of the levels, their key requirements and the checks involved.
This is the entry level of clearance, used for individuals who will need access to police premises, but not need to view police information or materials, either digital or physical. As such, it’s typically only needed for roles like maintenance or utility staff working in secure areas. Checks involved include:
This level allows individuals to view official-sensitive material on police premises without direct supervision, but does not grant access to police systems or databases. Checks for this level will cover:
This level permits occasional access to secret material or systems in addition to official-sensitive information. It’s required for roles with more direct involvement in sensitive police projects or information handling where employees will need to work independently on confidential systems. Checks for full level 2 access include:
This is the most thorough level, designed for those who will have regular access to police material up to secret level and occasional exposure to top secret information. Like the strict management vetting used for senior officers, this is used for the most sensitive civilian roles connected to policing. At this stage, vetters will examine a wide range of factors, including:
If you’re applying for a role that needs NPPV, it’s normal to have questions about what to expect. Here are some of the most common queries to help you feel prepared and confident.
The process can take anywhere from a few weeks for level 1 or 2 (abbreviated) clearances to several months for level 2 (full) or level 3, especially if there are complications like overseas address history or complex finances.
If your application is unsuccessful, you’ll usually get a brief explanation and have the right to appeal if you think the decision was made using incorrect information or unfairly assessed. Follow the instructions in your rejection letter to start the appeal process.
Common issues include unspent criminal convictions, significant unresolved debts or financial problems, dishonesty on your application or close associations with people involved in crime. However, each case is judged individually and honesty is always the best approach.
Yes. Your social media presence may be reviewed for signs of extremist views, offensive behaviour or anything else that could raise concerns about your integrity or suitability.
Not necessarily. Spent convictions or minor issues often don’t lead to rejection if you’re honest about them and show they’re not part of a pattern of behaviour.
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