PCO Licence (Minicab) and Enhanced CRB - Will this cost me my potential job?

[Timez]

Hi,

 

I am concerned about what the PCO will think of these things if they come up on my E-CRB check...

 

I have been told by the police that i have no convictions whatsoever on my record but...

 

--------------

 

In Scotland years ago I got drunk with my friend and fell asleep outside a house - unknown to me he went inside and I dont even know what he did. Then he came outside and fell asleep next to me - the police found us and arrested both of us - They were trying to say we had both broke in - and although i kept protesting my innocence - they said if i dont accept a cation we will be kept there for a long time (this was before i knew about maximum detention times) - I stupidlly accepted (as i was still drunk) - and I dont even know what the cation was for - possiblly breaking and entering - or even burgurlly - im just guessing though.

 

Will this show up in a E-CRB in england? - and if so - is it going to stop me getting the licence?

 

--------------

 

A couple of years ago I had to confiscate my mothers bank card as she suffers from mental health problems - I did not draw any money out - or even try - and i acted well within the law (under the mental health act) - it ended as no further action - but as all arrests are going to show up it will say arrested for theft.

 

--------------

 

A few years before that I got a cannabis warning.

 

--------------

 

 

I understand I can request what will show up with a police subject access request - but as it will take upto 40 days - that means my application will have to be put on hold for that time (as i dont want to waste £55 for nothing).

 

 

I am really worried about these things - and the pottential waste of money.

 

If anyone could advise on what I could do - I really don't know - and will wait the 40 days if i have to but really wanted to sort it out sooner.

 

Thank you for your help

 

Timez

[postggj]

PCO

 

I take it this is a london application and not a local authority application

[Timez]

yes as in public carriage office london

[postggj]

All they are looking for are how long the offences were and are you a risk to vulnerable people such as kids and vulnurable adults

 

Having a criminal record will not stop you obtaining a licence, the nature of offences will

[Timez]

I have no criminal record at all - never been convicted for anything - only the cation from scotland (whatever that was actually for) and arrest for the "theft" that was not theft - as even those will most likly come up - Do you think they will refuse my application?

 

as i say - i have zero convictions and have no criminal record.

[postggj]

You will be fine if you have never been convicted of an offence

 

Unless they have intelligence you are a danger to kids, stop worrying

[Timez]

ok thank you - just wanted to know if i was throwing the money down the drain for them to then refuse it - I will send off for it knowing it will probabbly be fine

[BazzaS]

The arrest will likely not show.

The cannabis warning may.

 

The "caution" will be recorded, if this was done at a police station, and involved you signing that you admit your guilt (& usually administered by an officer of rank of inspector or higher).

It would be unusual for a formal caution to be given while an alleged offender was still drunk.

 

An "informal" caution (a warning) would not show on a standard DBS. It might show on an enhanced DBS under "other relevant information disclosed at the Chief Police Officer(s) discretion"

 

However, checking my last DBS the first 'box' is entitled "Police Records of Comvictions, Cautions, Reprimands and Warnings"

 

The issue you now face is that if your eDBS shows a caution that you haven't disclosed, the original "offence" might not have been a bar to license issue, but they might decline your application for failure to disclose a caution!

[Timez]

It was when i was still drunk - and as i say I dont know what the actual caution was for specfically - only what it was about generally - so I dont know what to disclose?

 

I just looked through the PCO form and there is no box to write "disclosed offences" in - or anything like that.

 

So cannot disclose it on the form anyway?

 

Just says - send off for the DBS and write the refrence number.

Edited June 13, 2013 by Timez

[dx100uk]

hackney carriage licence? I assume?

 

dx

[Timez]

yeah but not for black cabs - but just minicabs - already answered that in my first reply

[dx100uk]

black cabs are hackney carriage licence, then yes it could effect you getting one

 

if the borough you are in does not require a hackney carriage licence for private hire, but a council licence one , you should be ok.

 

dx

[Timez]

It isnt a hackey carraige licence - or a local authority one - but public carraige office licence - also known as private hire driver

[postggj]

We are talking of a private hire transport for London application i think, a mini cab, not hackney

[Timez]

yes i think they are different things

[dx100uk]

yes they are very diff things

 

you'll be ok.

 

you could (should] put them down

it wont hurt to do so.

 

how long ago were they BTW?

 

dx

 

but it wont make any odds.

[Timez]

I don't know what you mean by put them down? - on the application form for the licence it does not ask about convictions etc - just says send us the crb / dbs you get sent - which I will do (which will have everything on it)

 

The whole section about the crb / dbs just says send it in - which I will.

 

At the shortest - roughly 5 - 10 years ago - nothing recent.

[dx100uk]

ok even simpler then.............

 

5-10 yrs def not a problem

 

 

 

dx

[Timez]

Thank you all for your help - case closed i think - really good this forum actually i gotta say!

 

Really apprechiate it all

 

Timez

[dx100uk]

no bother

 

I know the system well for both.

 

that's all i'll say

dx

[BazzaS]

I don't know what you mean by put them down? - on the application form for the licence it does not ask about convictions etc - just says send us the crb / dbs you get sent - which I will do (which will have everything on it)

 

The whole section about the crb / dbs just says send it in - which I will.

 

At the shortest - roughly 5 - 10 years ago - nothing recent.

 

"just says send us the crb / dbs you get sent - which I will do" sounds a bit unusual : you as an individual can't apply for a eDBS : the employer / licensing authority had to endorse the DBS application. Whilst you get a copy of your eDBS, the employer / licensing authority do too : there shouldn't be any need for you to send them your copy.

 

At the top of the DBS on the left are your personal details.

On the right are : position applied for, employer, (and if they go through an intermediary the intermediary's details : firm [registered body/ person] and approved counter-signatory).

 

The PCO (now part of the mayor's office, whereas in days gone by it was run by the Met when it was the 'yard' in Pentonville) may well be registered for doing their own DBS's directly : when yours comes through can you post here what it says on the right column opposite your details on the left?

[assisted blonde]

If it helps the licensing officer has a talk with anyone who has convictions and 9/10 times unless its serious a licence is granted, in your case even if a mention was made of your warning it is very very unlikely to affect you getting a licence.

[Timez]

When i said it says to send them the crb / dbs - i meant the ref number.

 

There is nowhere to write "disclosed offences" anywhere on the form or otherwise - I have scanned everything that mentions DBS / CRB in the whole pack:

 

 

CRB Introduction Letter (Front):

 

 

CRB Introduction Letter (Back):

 

 

PCO CRB Section:

 

 

Full PCO Form Link:

 

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/private-hire-driver-application-pack.pdf

 

 

Timez

[assisted blonde]

A CRB will only show a conviction, I would just fill in the form and see what comes back

[Timez]

I will let you know what happens once I have completed it - thank you