Barred list

The barred and advisory lists were introduced as part of the government's commitment to improving police integrity.

They increase the accountability of those who are dismissed from policing. They also further the transparency of the police discipline system by publishing details of these individuals, where appropriate, in order to raise public confidence in the police.

Both lists are administered by the College of Policing.

What the barred list contains

The barred list shows all officers, special constables and staff members who have been dismissed from policing after investigations under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 or Police (Performance) Regulations 2020. It also shows the equivalents for police staff.

Individuals will remain on the list indefinitely, unless they either:

• win an appeal against their dismissal
• make a successful review application, where they would have to provide clear evidence as to why they were now suitable to re-join policing

Reviews cannot be requested for a minimum of:

• three years for gross incompetence dismissals
• five years for gross misconduct dismissals

Even a successful review does not guarantee a return to policing. The individual concerned has to apply for a post and successfully pass the vetting process, just like anyone else would.

How the list works

Where an individual has been dismissed, the force sends a report to the College of Policing. This contains information set out in Regulations. The College then updates the barred list with those details. The same process is used for the advisory list.

The College makes decisions on whether it is appropriate to publish the information on the barred list, taking into account:

• national security
• other ongoing investigations
• any significant harm that may be caused to the individual or others.

In the vast majority of cases, the information is published.

Individuals who have been on the barred list for a period of five years – or three years where their dismissal was related to gross incompetence – are able to apply for a review of their barred status. The College considers their application with reference to the:

• individual's demonstration of their suitability to re-join policing
• circumstances of their original dismissal
• effect that removing them from the list may have on public confidence in the police

Use of the barred list

The following are required to check whether an applicant is on the list, prior to employing or appointing them.

• Home Office police forces in England and Wales.
• Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners.
• His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services
• Independent Office for Police Conduct.

If an applicant is on the barred list then they must not be employed or appointed into policing.

Public access to the barred list

Details of officers and special constables (but not police staff) who have been dismissed for conduct matters are published by the College of Policing, unless certain exemptions apply.

The list is updated monthly, with names added by the end of the following month. For example, if someone is dismissed on 15 January, their name will be on the list by the end of February.

As agreed with the Information Commissioner's Office, the public list is searchable. As details of police hearings and outcomes are now largely published on force websites and reported in the media, the names of individuals who are dismissed from policing are generally already in the public domain.  

In accordance with the legislation, the details held on the public list include:

• the name and force of the officer concerned
• their rank and number
• the date and reason for dismissal

Information is held on the public list for five years from the date of publication. Once an officer has been on the public list for five years, their names are removed from it at the end of that month as part of the monthly updates. For example, if an officer was placed onto the barred list on 10 February, then their name would be removed at the end of February and would not be searchable on the public list from March onwards.

Exemptions to publication

​Only officers (including specials) go on the public list. Police staff members, including police community support officers (PCSOs), do not go on the public list.

The College makes the final decision on whether it is appropriate to publish information on the barred list.

You can apply to have your details removed from the barred list. The date you can apply depends on the reason for your dismissal.

If you have been dismissed from your force for:

• performance matters (gross incompetence) – you can apply to be removed from the barred list after a minimum of three years 
• conduct matters (gross misconduct) – you can apply to be removed from the barred list after a minimum of five years

Application process

Read the application guidance and complete an application form. Submit your application to the College of Policing by email at [email protected]. 

We carry out checks and liaise with your police force. The force will consider the application and make a recommendation to the College, taking into account:

• whether you have demonstrated suitability to return to policing
• the circumstances that led to the original decision or finding
• the impact that removing your barred status might have on public confidence in the police

The College of Policing makes the final decision about whether it is appropriate for your details to be removed from the barred list and allow a possible return to policing, or if the application should be rejected.

This process does not review the reasons for the original dismissal. It only considers whether it is proportionate for you to remain on the barred list. 

If your application is rejected, we will tell you the earliest date that you can request a review.