Sir Mark Rowley, the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has acknowledged the force’s entrenched “toxic legacy” of discrimination, which has deeply embedded itself within the institution, amid shocking allegations of bias and misuse of power revealed on national television.
The BBC’s Panorama investigation exposed undercover footage highlighting claims of misogyny, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and other serious misconduct at Charing Cross police station.
Concerns are mounting at the highest echelons of the Met, City Hall, and the national government that these disclosures could severely undermine public trust and raise doubts about whether the force is undergoing sufficient reform after years marked by scandals and critical evaluations.
Tensions were palpable when officers at the National Black Police Association (NBPA) conference booed and jeered Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes after he denied that the Met is institutionally racist.
A 2023 report by Louise Casey, commissioned following the Sarah Everard case, concluded that the Met exhibited institutional racism, misogyny, and prejudice.
While Rowley rejected the label of institutional racism, he conceded the report’s findings regarding widespread failures and a toxic culture within the force.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced plans to launch the long-awaited follow-up inquiry that Lady Casey recommended, aimed at assessing the extent of change within the Met.
In response to the crisis triggered by the officers’ alleged misconduct, Jukes was urgently dispatched to address the NBPA conference, expressing deep remorse and describing the behaviours as “a source of profound shame and regret.”
Jukes, widely regarded as a leading candidate for the next Met commissioner, warned of “gangster-like conduct” among some officers, including cover-ups and coercion to conceal wrongdoing.
Rowley condemned the BBC’s revelations as showcasing “appalling and criminal” acts, apologizing to the public and pledging to delve further into the corrupt networks and cliques that have been driven underground by previous inaction.
Since assuming office in September 2022, Rowley’s administration claims to have dismissed 1,500 officers who failed to meet professional standards.
The commissioner stated: “The conduct revealed in this programme is utterly disgraceful and intolerable.”
“Such criminal and reprehensible behaviour by officers betrays the communities we serve, causing many to question whether their loved ones are safe in police custody or if victims of crime will be treated with dignity and believed. For this, I offer my sincere apologies.”
Rowley assured that any proven instances of racism, misogyny, anti-Muslim bias, or boasting about excessive force will be swiftly addressed through expedited hearings, likely leading to dismissal within weeks.
He emphasized that he is spearheading the most extensive purge of corrupt officers in British policing history: “As commissioner, I have been transparent about the systemic cultural, leadership, and regulatory shortcomings that have allowed misogyny, racism, and a deficient public service ethos to take root. We are relentlessly removing officers and staff, with 11 forced departures each week-more than triple the rate of previous ineffective measures that left this toxic legacy.”
Currently, nine officers have been suspended, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating 11 individuals for gross misconduct, with one officer facing a criminal probe for allegedly obstructing justice.
Sal Naseem, who was the IOPC’s London director during the last Charing Cross scandal, which led to the resignation of former commissioner Cressida Dick and promises of reform, remarked: “If such misconduct can recur at Charing Cross, what does that imply about the Met and policing as a whole?”
“This issue transcends reports and recommendations-it boils down to leadership and effective implementation.”
Imran Khan, solicitor for Doreen Lawrence, whose son Stephen was murdered by racists who evaded justice due to police failures, declared: “The police service today is as flawed as ever. If the commissioner fails to act decisively, he must step down.”
Khan added: “I have engaged directly with the commissioner regarding the BBC’s revelations and their impact on public trust. I will continue to hold him accountable to ensure Londoners receive the policing they deserve. I will soon announce plans for a follow-up to the Casey review.”
Alison Lowe, deputy police and crime commissioner for West Yorkshire, expressed concern about nationwide repercussions: “People will see what’s happening at Charing Cross and assume it reflects the entire country.”
Andy George, president of the NBPA, criticized Rowley for not adequately addressing racial issues and misconduct, accusing him of marginalizing black officers rather than listening to them, and called for the Met to be dismantled, warning: “This is a reckoning long overdue.”
