A review of London’s Metropolitan Police has found that the force allowed predatory behavior to flourish among its ranks, creating a misogynistic, sexist, racist, and homophobic internal culture. The report by Louise Casey, published on Tuesday, accused the organization of failing to protect members of the public from abuse, as well as its own female staff. It stated that the Met has not protected its female employees or members of the public from police perpetrators of domestic abuse or those who abuse their position for sexual purposes. Furthermore, the report noted that violence against women and girls has not been treated as seriously by the police as other forms of serious violence. The report also found that the police force failed to adequately protect its own female staff from abuse and harassment.
The police commissioner, Mark Rowley, said in a video statement on Tuesday that the force “fully accepts” the review’s findings and intends to act on them. Rowley apologized and cited a “turnaround” plan to address systemic issues within the force. The review’s findings come after the Metropolitan Police has faced intense scrutiny in recent years following a series of scandals, including the conviction of a serving police officer for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of a London woman in March 2021.
The report by Louise Casey, a member of Britain’s House of Lords, was commissioned by the Metropolitan Police in an effort to address concerns about the force’s institutional culture and standards of behavior. It highlighted the need for significant reforms, including improving recruitment practices and better protecting staff who report abuse and harassment.
The review’s findings have sparked a national conversation about the issue of policing in the UK, with many calling for urgent reform to tackle the systemic issues within the force. The report’s recommendations will now be taken into account as the Metropolitan Police moves forward with its turnaround plan. The police force has acknowledged the need for change and committed to taking action to improve the safety and security of all members of the public and its own staff.