Discover the astonishing number of police officers in the Met! Uncover the impact of 1,000 officers suspended or on restricted duties.
Metropolitan Police Officers Face Suspension and Restricted Duties in Corruption and Incompetence Crackdown
Around 1,000 Metropolitan Police officers are currently suspended or on restricted duties as senior staff try to address corruption and incompetence within the force. This monumental operation is expected to result in the potential sacking of 60 officers per month over the next two years.
About half of the officers facing disciplinary action are undergoing misconduct proceedings, while another 30 officers are facing gross incompetence hearings, according to Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy. It is estimated that it will take “years” to root out officers who have breached standards or failed vetting.
These actions come in the wake of several scandals involving Metropolitan Police officers, including the high-profile cases of the rape and murder of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens and the imprisonment of serial rapist David Carrick.
Following Carrick’s life sentence for numerous sexual offenses, a review of 1,600 cases found that no action had been taken in allegations of domestic or sexual violence made against police officers over the past decade. Currently, there are 450 live investigations ongoing into these reviewed cases.
What is the Size of the Metropolitan Police Force?
The Metropolitan Police, also known as the Met, is the largest police service in the UK and has more than 44,000 officers and staff members. This accounts for 25% of the total police budget for England and Wales. In comparison, Warwickshire, overseen by just 1,100 police officers, highlights the significant size of the Met.
According to the Met’s breakdown, the numbers are as follows:
- 34,207 Police officers
- 10,429 Police staff
- 1,247 Police community support officers
- 1,408 Special officers
Out of the 34,207 officers in the Met, 201 are currently suspended, while approximately 860 are on restricted duties. It’s important to note that these figures exclude the City of London, which has its own separate police force comprising around 900 officers.
What Does Being on ‘Restricted Duties’ or Suspension Mean?
An officer on restricted duties has certain responsibilities removed while investigations into their conduct are ongoing. These restrictions may include limited contact with the public, suspension from police driving activities, restricted access to intelligence systems, and limitations on working with children or vulnerable adults.
On the other hand, when a police officer is suspended, they are stripped of their powers to carry out their duties. They are denied entry to police buildings, as well as access to computer systems and databases.
What Changes Are Happening Across the Met?
The Metropolitan Police is undergoing the largest reform of culture and standards in the past 50 years. This reform initiative follows Operation Leven, a report by Baroness Casey that examined the state of the Met in the aftermath of Sarah Everard’s murder.
Baroness Casey’s report revealed “systemic and fundamental problems in how the Met is run,” describing the organization as institutionally racist, sexist, and homophobic. Her report included 16 recommendations, and she emphasized the need for a complete overhaul and a new approach to restore public trust and confidence.
In response to the report, Mr. Cundy stated, “There is much more work to do, and we are not complacent. We are heartened by how the overwhelming majority of officers and staff are stepping forward to build a better Met. We hope that the progress set out today reassures Londoners that we are doing all we can to deliver an organization they deserve and our people are proud of.”
