Police chiefs call for DNA checks on new officers, community support staff and special constables

Police officer recruits, community support officers and special constables should have DNA checks to ensure they have no criminal record, the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) has advised.

Tony Lake, Acpo lead on forensic science and chief constable of Lincolnshire Police, said officers already provide their DNA for the police elimination base as part of the service's vetting procedure.

"But we should go further and run a specific search on the national DNA database to see that they are not only who they say they are, but that they are not linked to any outstanding crimes," Lake told Police Review.

Lake said the additional check would boost public confidence in the police service.

However, a Home Office spokesman said the additional DNA check would be a "one-off additional vetting search against the national DNA database and profiles would not be added permanently".