Met Police Suspends or Restricted Duties of Over 1,000 Officers in Crackdown on Misconduct
1,000 Metropolitan Police officers are suspended or on restricted duties as part of a major crackdown on misconduct and to root out rogue officers. This is the strongest doubling down on standards in 50 years, and comes in the wake of a series of harrowing scandals involving Met officers, including Wayne Couzens, who murdered Sarah Everard, and David Carrick, who was unmasked as a serial rapist.
The Met has made significant progress in recent months to better support its officers and staff, and to tackle systemic issues that have allowed misconduct to go unchecked. In the last 12 months, 100 police officers have been dismissed for gross misconduct, an increase of 66 per cent on the historic rate of dismissals. The number of officers suspended has also increased by 165 per cent, from 69 to 183.
The Met is also supported by the public and its own officers in reporting misconduct, with reports nearly doubling from 876 to 1,668 in the last 12 months. The number of reports by officers and staff has increased by a third.
This summer, the Met published its plan for reform, A New Met for London, which took account of over 10,000 interactions with members of the community. The plan also responds to the recommendations of Baroness Casey’s review of the Met’s culture and standards, and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service.
In addition to the crackdown on misconduct, the Met is also taking steps to build a healthier and stronger culture that embeds the principle of policing by consent. This includes better leadership training for all 7,500 sergeants and police staff equivalents, and increased trauma and mental health support for officers and staff.
The Met is also working to improve diversity and inclusion within its ranks. For example, it has launched a Women in Firearms programme in all armed commands, and is working towards 20 per cent representation of women and Black and ethnic minority heritage officers in the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command.
The Met’s crackdown on misconduct and its efforts to build a healthier and stronger culture are welcome steps. However, it is important to note that this is a long-term process, and there is still much work to be done to rebuild public trust in the Met.
What does this mean for the public?
The Met’s crackdown on misconduct is a positive step for the public. It shows that the Met is taking the issue of misconduct seriously, and is committed to rooting out corrupt officers.
The Met’s efforts to build a healthier and stronger culture are also welcome. A police force that is trusted by the public is essential for a safe and just society.
However, it is important to note that this is a long-term process, and there is still much work to be done to rebuild public trust in the Met. The public will need to see that the Met is serious about its reforms, and that it is taking concrete steps to address the issues that have led to the current crisis of confidence.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: “There is much more work to do and we are not complacent. We are heartened by how the overwhelming majority of officers and staff are stepping forward to build a better Met.
“We hope that the progress set out today reassures Londoners that we are doing all we can deliver an organisation they deserve and our people are proud of.”
