A police department is evaluating its screening methods after an officer was sentenced to more than 18 years in prison for repeatedly committing rape on a young girl.
Two years ago, Constable James Ford, 31, was incarcerated for what a judge termed a “horrific litany” of abuse against his victim.
Hertfordshire Police has confessed that it identified multiple questionable Facebook ‘likes’ during his 2019 employment screening. Ford stated that the posts, whose contents have not been disclosed, “did not reflect his mature lifestyle.”
As there were ‘no additional concerns of concern,’ the force determined that stopping Ford’s background check would have been ‘disproportionate,’ adding, ‘This decision was reviewed and affirmed.’
The matter arises days after it was revealed that 43 police departments in the US employ hundreds of policemen with felony records. Last year, Scotland Yard acknowledged that Wayne Couzens, the officer who murdered Sarah Everard, had not undergone proper screening.
Ford, previously of Bishop’s Stortford, was found guilty of ten crimes against a girl under the age of 13.
The College of Policing, which establishes police standards and training, has announced a review of the recruitment screening process. On Friday, Ford, previously of Bishop’s Stortford, was incarcerated.
In addition to being convicted of perverting the course of justice, he was also found guilty of wiping his mobile phone to conceal suspected video footage and other evidence.
Mr. Justice Bryan stated in his sentencing remarks that the uniformed response officer engaged in a “appalling pattern of sexual offenses” that spanned virtually the entire period he served as an officer.
Hertfordshire Police reported subsequently that “many” inappropriate likes were discovered during his screening. The police, however, deemed Ford’s explanation to be “rational and plausible.”
Just last week, the End Violence Against Women group issued the following warning: “Core processes relating to vetting, ethics, standards, and training are inconsistent and need to be redesigned and applied consistently.”
According to the Hertfordshire Police website, 95% of applicants pass the police screening process.
Those who are denied admission have a 30-40% probability of succeeding on appeal. It includes anything deemed “racist, abusive, oppressive, harassing, bullying, victimizing, or otherwise incompatible with policing ideals.”
Ford, who was suspended from his duties following his arrest, now faces dismissal at an expedited hearing for misconduct.
Hertfordshire Police stated that a comprehensive review of the steps he took to become a police officer will follow.
They said, “This is to identify any learning opportunities and improve our current methods.”