Baroness Casey has today published her interim findings into her review of culture and standards within the Met. These interim findings focus on the Met’s internal misconduct system, and confirm that our concerns are worse than previously feared. There needs to be a clear understanding of what has gone so wrong, and what warning signs were ignored. I have worked with the London Mayor and colleagues from across London on these issues through meeting after meeting and in the recent past from Sarah Everard to Chris Kaba. It is vital now that change happens so as to build the confidence in policing that residents and indeed employees in the police force both need and deserve.

I have seen Sadiq Khan take steps to ensure the Met is on a path of far-reaching reform, and they now have a new Commissioner who understands the scale of the challenges the Met faces. Today, along with London MPs, I met with Met Commissioner Mark Rowley to discuss the findings of the interim report. We will hold the Met to account and work with the new leadership under Sir Mark in taking urgent action to reform the culture and systems of the Met and to root out all police officers found to be responsible for sexism, racism, misogyny, homophobia, bullying or harassment. But it is also clear that many of the issues will be reflected nationally, and that the Home Office must also take greater responsibility and step up to the challenge.

The report has highlighted the Met takes too long to resolve misconduct cases. On average, the Met takes 400 days to finalise misconduct allegations from start to finish. Nearly 20% of misconduct cases take more than two years to finalise. Officers and staff do not believe that action will be taken when concerns around conduct are raised. This is not surprising, as, consistently, 55-60% of misconduct allegations made by Met officers, staff and their families receive a ‘no case to answer’ decision. And shockingly, allegations relating to sexual misconduct and other discriminatory behaviours are less likely than other misconduct allegations to result in a ‘case to answer’ decision. You can read the Casey report here https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/bcr/baroness-casey-review/

We also know that the majority of officers are working really hard against a backdrop of cuts and lack of investment in policing – as challenges and demands also increase. That’s why I will also put on record my thanks to our police for all they do in our community and for when they get it right. But so much needs to improve in addition to the Casey interim report, and I will continue to campaign for more and better policing on our streets and in our community and stronger leadership. Please do get in touch if you have feedback on your experience with policing that would be useful for me to share in meetings with our local police force and the Met.

Yours,

Seema