Evening Standard Comment: London deserves a police service it can be proud of

A Met Police staff member has been sentenced for pervering the course of justice
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London is a beacon of freedom, where the rule of law and notions of equality are paramount. We therefore need a police force that adheres to the highest of standards.

But yesterday’s police watchdog report, which uncovered a culture of misogyny, racism, homophobia and bullying, demonstrated that the Met is falling far short.

While this was an investigation into events at Charing Cross police station, the Independent Office of Police Complaints made clear that these incidents were “not isolated or simply the behaviour of a few bad apples”. It’s a problem across the Met, and it must change.

The police are a public service, and critical in that is trust between officers and the public. That trust has suffered numerous blows, most shockingly following the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a Met officer last March.

It is another blow to Commissioner Cressida Dick, who has recently been given a two-year extension to her role. She must use it to rid the Met of this toxic culture. After a career given to policing, that would be a worthy legacy.

There also must be greater transparency. In severe cases of wrongdoing, particularly involving officers sacked for gross misconduct, is it really appropriate for offenders to retain their anonymity?

The Met has rightly said it is “deeply sorry to Londoners and everyone they have failed with their appalling conduct”. But the time for apologies is now over. London wants and deserves a police service it can be proud of. It is up to the leadership to deliver one.

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