Nine Met officers suspended over excessive force and discriminatory comments
Nine Scotland Yard officers have been suspended following an investigation into claims of excessive use of force and making discriminatory and misogynistic comments.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) stated that the allegations focus on Charing Cross police station in central London, which was the source of a previous scandal for the Metropolitan police.
The new investigation involves 11 current or former Met officers and one staff member based at the station. This includes nine serving officers, a former officer, and a current detention officer who is a member of the police staff.
The officers’ ranks range from police constable to sergeant, according to the police watchdog. The IOPC stated: “The allegations include excessive use of force, discriminatory and misogynistic comments, and failure to report or challenge inappropriate behavior, alleged to have occurred both on and off duty between August 2024 and January 2025.”
The claims of excessive force pertain to alleged actions while on duty. So far, the allegations are not believed to involve WhatsApp groups. The Met stated that if the allegations are true, they amount to “criminality and misconduct” and would be “disgraceful.”
The force added that it was taking immediate and decisive action, including dismantling the current custody team at Charing Cross station and “significantly changing the leadership in our custody command and the Westminster [borough] leadership team.”
An IOPC report in 2022 disclosed graphic details of officers sharing messages about hitting and raping women, the deaths of black babies, and the Holocaust. At that time, the officers were primarily based at Charing Cross, with the offending behavior of 19 individuals occurring between 2016 and 2018.
The Met’s handling of the scandal, with one officer being promoted, contributed to the dismissal of former Met commissioner Cressida Dick. Her successor, Mark Rowley, has pledged to transform the culture of Britain’s largest police force.
The new allegations, following an undercover investigation by BBC News, are a further embarrassment to the Met leadership. The swift suspensions led the force to refer the case to the IOPC. As of now, neither the Met nor the IOPC has the evidence containing the allegations in their possession.
The IOPC stated it had also received a referral from another force regarding the conduct of an officer who was formerly based at Charing Cross and has since transferred out of the Met.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, who, along with the home secretary, oversees the Met, expressed being “appalled” by the claims. His spokesperson said: “Sexism, racism, and misogyny must have no place in the police, and [Khan] has spoken directly to the commissioner today about this matter.
“The mayor has consistently stated that there must be zero tolerance for this kind of behavior, and there can be no place of refuge for those who abuse their position of trust. The mayor will continue to work with and hold the commissioner accountable to ensure Londoners receive the police service they deserve.”
The Met assistant commissioner, Matt Twist, said: “The reported behavior is disgraceful, and nine officers were suspended within 24 hours of the allegations being assessed, with another two officers removed from frontline duties.
“We are extensively scrutinizing the leadership and culture within these teams, led by professional standards and senior leaders, to eliminate any further failings. The leadership of these teams failed to establish a culture that identified warning signs or inspired confidence in junior colleagues to report. This is one of the reasons we are taking such assertive exceptional action.”
Twist added: “The Met’s leadership has made it clear that it will not tolerate behavior failing to meet the organization’s standards of professionalism and integrity. We have already taken immediate action, which will continue in the following days as we assess the full implications.”
The IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: “These are concerning allegations involving a large number of individuals, and we understand there will be public concern, especially in light of our previous investigation into similar allegations at the same police station.
“We want to reassure the public that we will conduct a thorough, independent investigation.”
World Affairs Correspondent
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