Police review vetting system after officer was cleared for employment despite ‘liking’ several inappropriate social media posts… and was later jailed for child rape

• Constable James Ford, 31, was jailed for over 18 years for repeatedly raping a girl
• Ford, formerly of Bishop’s Stortford, convicted of ten offences against the victim
• Herts Police admitted ‘inappropriate’ Facebook likes were previously observed
• The College of Policing has said that the  vetting of recruits is being reviewed

A police force is reviewing its vetting procedures after a serving officer was jailed for more than 18 years for repeatedly raping a young girl.

Constable James Ford, 31, was locked up last week after what a judge called a ‘horrific catalogue’ of abuse against his victim that lasted two years.

Hertfordshire Police has admitted it discovered several inappropriate Facebook ‘likes’ when he was vetted for the job he started in 2019. Ford said the posts – the contents of which have not been revealed – ‘did not reflect his adult lifestyle’.

The force decided that, as there were ‘no other matters of concern’, it would have been ‘disproportionate’ to stop vetting Ford, adding: ‘This decision was reviewed and ratified.’

Constable Jonathan Ford, 31, formerly of Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire,  is starting an 18-year jail sentence for a series of offences against a young girl

The case comes days after it emerged that 43 police forces in the country have hundreds of serving officers with criminal convictions. Last year Scotland Yard admitted that its officer Wayne Couzens, who murdered Sarah Everard, had not gone through adequate vetting.

Ford, formerly of Bishop’s Stortford, was convicted of ten offences against the same girl who was under 13.

The College of Policing, which sets police standards and training, has said vetting of recruits is being reviewed. Ford, formerly of Bishop’s Stortford, was jailed on Friday. 

He was also convicted of perverting the course of justice after wiping his mobile phone to hide suspected video footage and other evidence. 

The uniformed response officer committed an ‘appalling course of sexual offending [that] pretty much spans the whole time during which you have been a serving officer’, sentencing judge Mr Justice Bryan said. 

‘Several’ inappropriate likes were unearthed during his vetting process, Hertfordshire Police revealed subsequently. But the force said Ford’s explanation was ‘reasonable and credible’. 

Just last week, the End Violence Against Women coalition warned: ‘Core processes around vetting, ethics, standards and training are inconsistent and need to be overhauled and consistently applied.’ 

Hertfordshire Police’s website states ‘95 per cent of applicants pass the police vetting process’. 

Those who aren’t accepted have a 30-40 per cent chance of success on appeal. It adds material that could undermine an application includes anything considered ‘discriminatory, abusive, oppressive, harassing, bullying, victimising, offensive or otherwise incompatible with policing principles’. 

Ford, who was suspended from duties after his arrest, now faces dismissal at a fast-track misconduct hearing. 

Hertfordshire Police said a ‘full review of the process he went through to become a police constable’ will follow. 

They added: ‘This is to identify any learning opportunities and how we can better improve our existing practices.’

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