Dozens of armed officers responsible for protecting Britain's nuclear power stations and radioactive materials have faced disciplinary action for misconduct over the past five years, with seven being removed from the force entirely.
Disciplinary Figures Raise Security Concerns
Newly revealed statistics show that 57 officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) have been disciplined for misdemeanours since 2019. The number of officers dismissed has reached a ten-year high, with three removed between April and November last year alone. In total, 13 officers have been dismissed from the specialist force in the past decade.
The CNC is a specialist armed police service with 1,600 officers and support staff. Its critical duty is to protect 15 sites across the UK, including the Dounreay complex in Caithness, Torness in East Lothian, and key gas infrastructure at Garlogie and St Fergus in Aberdeenshire. The force also guards radioactive material during transit across the country.
Nature of the Offences and a Damning Legacy
The majority of disciplinary cases involved officers found guilty of 'discreditable conduct'. Other breaches included failing to meet professional standards regarding 'honesty and integrity', 'equality and diversity', and 'authority, respect and courtesy'. Officers also did not adhere to expected orders, instructions, duties, and responsibilities.
Conduct within the CNC was thrust into the spotlight following the crimes of Wayne Couzens. The former CNC officer, who joined in 2011 and left in 2018, was later convicted for the abduction, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard in 2021. An inquiry by Lady Elish Angiolini KC revealed that Couzens's significant financial debts from payday loans and maxed-out credit cards were not properly considered during his vetting process by the CNC, despite Thames Valley Police recommending he should not pass.
Force Response and Vetting Overhaul
A spokesman for the Civil Nuclear Constabulary stated the force is committed to the highest professional standards, calling it 'vital' for maintaining the confidence of industry partners in protecting critical national infrastructure.
'We are determined that if someone has failed to uphold standards of behaviour and the ethical policing principles, they will have no place in policing,' the spokesman said. The force highlighted expanded proactive intelligence and counter-corruption teams, plus a partnership with Crimestoppers to run a Police Integrity Line for reporting concerns.
The CNC's vetting team has also been enlarged to apply appropriate scrutiny to new applicants and to ensure serving officers maintain the high vetting standards required for their sensitive roles.
