Re: Are police checks working?

IMHO discarding the existing CRB system (I assume this is what you
meant by police checks?) would be counter-productive. The system as it
stands is far from ideal but we at least have the groundwork to improve
upon.

There have been various threads on this NG about people with similar
names, addresses and/or dates of birth being wrongly reported as having
a criminal record. Although I agree with the CRB spokesperson who said
it was better to err on the side of caution, we shouldn't have these
problems!

My main gripe with the system is that it's only retrospective. It
checks existing records and is then only valid for the day it is
issued, as with an MOT certificate. All forms and certificates are
bar-coded, which should make it possible for each individual to have
one CRB 'query' against their name to which many organisations can
reference.

In addition if a conviction, etc. is then added to this query after the
checks, the CRB system should automatically and immediately inform all
organisations which have made a check on that individual. This would
ensure that the relevant bodies have the most up to date information.

The present system means that a second check would have to be run after
the conviction/notation for anything to be detected. This, in my view,
is a huge defect to the system and one which almost gives individuals a
license for life to do what they like without it being reported. (An
exaggeration I know but you get the point.)

As for other alterations, I'm sure there are many that people can
suggest but these are my main concerns.

Pete

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