The Casey Review into the Metropolitan Police was shocking in its findings that the Met is institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic.
But though shocking these findings should not be a surprise to anyone as there has been plenty of evidence over many years suggesting exactly that. And though particular events, such as the Sarah Everard murder and the conviction of David Carrick, have severely further undermined confidence, it is not a question of “restoring” trust in the police. There was no trust to be restored so trust needs to be built from the ground up.
Over a period of many years I’ve argued for strong disciplinary procedures to exclude from the force those who are unfit to serve. I hope now that at long last the Met and the Home Office will take action. It is madness for the police force to be paying officers who they can’t use but can’t sack. But as well as a new disciplinary framework the Met themselves will have to devote the necessary resources to investigating misconduct and bring the right attitude of zero tolerance. As well as blocking those who are unsuitable from getting into the force and getting rid of those who commit misconduct once they are in, the Met needs to engage in a major exercise to protect and support their current BAME, LGBT and women officers. Trust in the public will not be created while officers in the Met are themselves being subjected to discrimination and harassment from their colleagues.
I want to back Sir Mark Rowley in this vital task but it’s disappointing that he refused to accept the Casey Review’s finding that the Met is institutionally flawed. It’s hard to exert the necessary momentum to achieve structural change if you won’t accept that it is systemic and institutionalised.
Everyone, literally, in the Met needs to look at what they are actively doing to play a part in this positive transformation. That needs to happen at the same time as recognising the incredible work that does go on in the Met, like bringing to justice the killer of my constituent Jobari Gooden.
My constituents’ son Chris Kaba was killed by a single gunshot fired by a Met officer in September last year and this has now been investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct and referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for decision about whether there should be a homicide charge against the officer. The investigation is complete so all that remains is for the CPS to decide whether there is sufficient evidence to make it more likely than not that there would be a conviction. They need to do that swiftly. The family’s torment will only be further drawn out while they wait for the outcome of the next stage in this process.
This is an important time for our new Borough Commander to be taking up his post. I will give commander Seb Adjei-Addoh my wholehearted support in bringing about the change that is needed.
The Casey Review and the recent report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services finding misogyny, racism and homophobia in fire brigades around the country are not some quirky “wokery”.
Everyone who works in our police and fire services must treat all those who depend on their service with equal diligence and professionalism. All those who work in those crucial services deserve to know that they will not be discriminated against and harassed. And we all want those services to command the respect and confidence which should be afforded to those who are doing a difficult job on our behalf.
The Casey Review must mark the beginning of major and lasting change. If not now, when?