Joining the police - help

[clockcatmouse]

My ds is joining the police. He is filling out the vetting form and it asks if he associates with anyone with a conviction. He doesn't but I have family members on my side that have been in trouble with police in the past.

Ds doesn't see them apart from the odd occasion in town etc in passing - would you say this is classed as associating with them?. We don't socialise as a family. Can't choose your family can you unfortunately.

Ive told DS but we don't know whether we should put them on the form or not? We don't want it to be seen as omitting information.

I would say no, it says associate with. Nodding hello to each other as you pass in town is not associating with them even if they are related. Is there a part of the form for relations? I'm sure when DH applied many years ago you had to disclose if any close family members had criminal convictions so that was the end of that for DH, thanks a bunch FIL!!!

There's no section for family members - just who they associate with.

I thought family members convictions couldn't stop you getting in as long as you declare it?

Depends on the nature of the conviction. If you have contact with an immediate relative that has a serious conviction or is in prison, it’s probably going to be an issue.

How close are the family members ?

I passed my vetting and my boyfriend at the time had a conviction for class a

They are uncles

I've messaged you.

Your uncles or his uncles?
I would probably put them on the form to be honest. If there is space for further information , he can just explain that he sees little of them.
Best to be honest and open.

I would put them down. My husband has passed all his levels of vetting even though my brother has a conviction.

I wouldn't panic. My cousin was in prison for assaulting a police officer when I joined up. A colleagues son was arrested every other week for something (obv their relationship was very strained).

They are more likely to be concerned if his uncles are involved in gangs, OCGs, drug dealing etc rather than petty crime. Even then if he can demonstrate the distancing of them, they tend not to be too worried.

Not much you can do when your family have got themselves into trouble - vetting tends to be fairly pragmatic about things as it's fairly common.

Put them on. It is better to declare and it be no big deal than not declare and seem like you hid it.

(I work in policing)

They are mostly concerned with the more serious crimes, or crimes that could compromise his position. Its also about honesty and integrity, so its better to declare it.

I would put them on and explain that he doesn’t really see them.

Definitely put it down. One of the biggest reasons for failing vetting is not telling the truth or omitting information that's relevant. I'm sure it won't be a problem if he's not close to them.

I'd declare it but say that they are in the family but your son does not associate with them at all. That's honestly the best thing to do.

Yep!

Can I jump in with a question? I don't want to derail the thread but it's related.
My DS is 16 and wants to apply to the police in the future, he's on a Public Services BTEC at present.
He's been taking medication for anxiety since last spring, it was for exam anxiety leading up to GCSEs.
The plan is to now come off the meds. He's in a much better place and happier at college than school.
I've asked his cadet leaders about the situation with medication and joining the police. They say it's not such an issue now and they've had cadets get accepted who have taken meds.
Any advice would be appreciated.

With regards to the antidepressants and passing medical every force is different and have their own policy. Some it's a flat no if you're still on them, some like you to be clear of medication for three years before you apply, he needs to do some research on his chosen area to find out if it will affect him or not.