Police service referred itself to the watchdog over allegations of ‘making discriminatory and misogynistic comments’
Nine police officers have been suspended after the Metropolitan Police service referred itself to the watchdog over allegations of “making discriminatory and misogynistic comments, and failing to report or challenge inappropriate behaviour.” The IOPC has said that it is investigating the behaviour of 11 current or former Met officers and one staff member based at Charing Cross Police Station in central London.
The accusations, which feature in a forthcoming BBC Panorama documentary, include excessive use of force, discriminatory and misogynistic comments, and failing to report or challenge inappropriate behaviour, the police watchdog said. The officers range in rank from police constable to sergeant.
The allegations include excessive use of force, making discriminatory and misogynistic comments, and failing to report or challenge inappropriate behaviour, and are alleged to have occurred both on and off duty between August 2024 and January 2025.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said that investigation was immediately launched by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, after it was made aware of allegations on September 9.
In a statement, he said: “The behaviour as reported is disgraceful and nine officers were suspended within twenty-four hours of the allegations being assessed and another two officers have been removed from frontline duties. Rapid steps to secure evidence and protect the public have also been taken. We asked the IOPC to look at this and welcome their decision to take on the investigation.
“We are also taking immediate steps to dismantle the current custody team at this station, significantly changing the leadership in our custody command and the Westminster leadership team. This is an exceptional reset and will ensure high standards.
“In addition, we are scrutinising more widely the leadership and culture within these teams, led by Professional Standards and senior leaders, to root out any further failings. The leadership of these teams failed to create the right culture that identified warning signs or generated confidence in junior colleagues to report. This is one of the reasons we are taking such assertive exceptional action.
“However, good officers and staff have stepped forward over the past three years with reports increasing threefold, helping us more than triple the rate of those exited, up from 150 a year to 557 last year.
“The Met’s leadership has been very clear that it will not tolerate behaviour that fails to meet the organisation’s standards of professionalism and integrity. We have already taken immediate action and this will continue over the coming days as we assess the full implications.
“The Met has been steadily regaining the trust of Londoners, but we are under no illusions about the continued challenge we face. We will be relentless, leaving no stone unturned, in removing people who have no place in the Met.
“I would encourage anyone who has any information on corrupt and improper behaviour by Met officers or staff to contact the Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Line.”
The investigation is in its very early stages and we will provide further information when we are in a position to do so, said the IOPC.
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