Watchdog uncovers ‘disgraceful’ culture within London police and demands change

The police watchdog has demanded sweeping adjustments to the tradition of London’s Metropolitan Police after an investigation uncovered “stunning” proof of pervasive and protracted bullying, misogyny, homophobia and racism throughout the pressure.

The report by the Unbiased Workplace for Police Conduct in England and Wales, revealed on Tuesday, famous a tradition of extremely sexualised, violent and discriminatory “banter” amongst Met officers, linked to “poisonous masculinity, misogyny and sexual harassment”.

Of the 14 officers investigated, two have been dismissed for gross misconduct, whereas one other 4 confronted hearings. A fifth resigned slightly than face a listening to. The findings of Operation Hotton targeted on constables primarily based mostly at central London’s Charing Cross police station.

The inquiry is the most recent blow to the repute of the Met following a collection of revelations about issues inside police tradition after the rape and homicide of Sarah Everard in 2021 by a serving officer, Wayne Couzens.

The pressure additionally confronted extreme criticism in December after an inquest discovered that three of the 4 killings by Stephen Port, a serial killer of younger homosexual males, might have been averted if officers had investigated the instances correctly.

Sal Naseem, IOPC regional director for London and South England, stated the behaviour uncovered was “disgraceful” and fell “effectively beneath the requirements anticipated of the officers concerned”.

The report was “stunning” and contained language that was offensive, he added.

“Whereas these officers predominantly labored in groups in Westminster which have since been disbanded, we all know from different latest instances that these points will not be remoted or historic,” stated Naseem.

The Operation Hotton investigation began in March 2018 after an officer was accused of getting intercourse in a police station with a drunk girl, which led the IOPC to take over an inside Met harassment investigation.

The report stated the workforce at Charing Cross, the place the IOPC had recognized these issues, was now disbanded however whereas noting proof of comparable behaviour in subsequent investigations.

“We imagine these incidents will not be remoted or just the behaviour of some ‘dangerous apples’,” the report stated.

The watchdog discovered officers referred in messages to beating their wives and companions, whereas one talked about the usage of steroids. Lots of the exchanges shared by officers have been sexist, whereas others have been homophobic and racist, it famous.

The IOPC made 15 suggestions, together with guidelines on difficult and reporting improper conduct amongst different enhancements to the pressure’s wider tradition.

Bas Javid, the Met’s deputy assistant commissioner for skilled requirements, stated he was “indignant and dissatisfied” by the report’s findings.

The actions of the officers between 2016 and 2018 had been “unacceptable, unprofessional, disrespectful and deeply offensive”, he famous.

“I learn their messages with growing disgust and disgrace,” he stated, including that the pressure had taken motion, together with the misconduct and gross misconduct hearings and chatting with employees about accountable use of social media.