London Police Department Takes Action to Weed Out Bad Officers
In response to a damning report accusing the London police force of racism, homophobia, and misogyny, the department is determined to intensify its efforts to remove officers who have violated standards or were inadequately vetted during their recruitment.
The police department in England has already placed restrictions on over a thousand officers, but the process of identifying and addressing corruption within the force is expected to be an ongoing challenge, potentially spanning several years.
On a monthly basis, dozens of officers are currently undergoing disciplinary hearings to address their conduct.
Over 1,000 Officers Suspended or Restricted
London’s police force acknowledges that more than 1,000 officers are presently either suspended or assigned to restricted duties. This decision stems from a scathing report that exposed deep-seated issues of racism, homophobia, and misogyny within the institution.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy stated that the Metropolitan Police Service will require substantial time to eliminate officers who have violated established standards or were not subjected to thorough vetting procedures during recruitment. Approximately 60 officers are facing disciplinary proceedings each month as part of this ongoing effort.
Cundy emphasized, “This process will extend over the course of one, two, or perhaps even more years to identify and remove corrupt individuals.”
Addressing Past Failures
These revelations come a year after Commissioner Mark Rowley assumed leadership of the Met, committing to overhaul a force that had been rocked by a series of scandals, including the arrest of a serving officer for the abduction and murder of a young woman.
In March, the police force issued an apology following an independent review that underscored the loss of public trust due to deeply entrenched racism, misogyny, and homophobia within the department.
With a total of approximately 34,000 officers, the latest figures indicate that 201 officers are currently suspended, and around 860 are placed on restricted duties as the London police force endeavors to rid itself of officers whose actions have fallen short of expected standards.