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Ten police officers are set to face accelerated disciplinary proceedings following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into conduct at Charing Cross police station.
The IOPC launched its investigation on 12 September after receiving a mandatory referral from the Metropolitan Police, prompted by allegations raised in a BBC Panorama programme. The documentary exposed racist, misogynistic and violent behaviour among officers at the station – revelations that have plunged the Met into yet another crisis and triggered widespread condemnation. Read our full report on the Panorama investigation here.
A team of IOPC investigators has since reviewed CCTV footage, documentary material, and other evidence provided by the Met. Following this review, the watchdog said it had found “sufficient evidence to show clear breaches of police standards of professional behaviour” and concluded that ten officers should face gross misconduct hearings.
The group includes eight serving Met officers – three sergeants and five constables – along with a former Met constable and a Gloucestershire Police officer who previously served with the Met.
IOPC Director General Rachel Watson said the conduct shown in the Panorama documentary was “appalling” and that the public would “rightly expect swift action” against officers found to have fallen short of professional standards.
She added that investigators had worked “at pace” to analyse the evidence, and that both the Met and Gloucestershire Police had been notified of the IOPC’s view that there was sufficient evidence to bring accelerated gross misconduct proceedings.
“This sends a clear message that the type of behaviour seen in the documentary is taken extremely seriously,” Ms Watson said. “Immediate action will be taken to enable the forces to dismiss officers at the earliest opportunity, where appropriate.”
‘No place in the Met’
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley welcomed the IOPC’s decision, saying he had personally requested fast-tracked hearings after watching the Panorama footage.
“I have been very clear from the outset that I wanted to see all those responsible for this appalling behaviour facing gross misconduct hearings at the earliest opportunity. They have no place in the Met,” he said.
“After watching Panorama last week and seeing the behaviour for myself, I requested the early consideration of accelerated misconduct hearings, and I welcome the IOPC’s decision to pursue this course of action.
“We have worked together to deliver this uncompromising approach at greater speed than ever before and the hearings will take place by the end of the month. Londoners would expect nothing less and for those found responsible to be exited from the Met and off the payroll as soon as possible.”
Sir Mark said that within 48 hours of receiving the allegations, nine officers and one staff member had been suspended, with two more removed from frontline duties. He confirmed the Charing Cross custody team had been disbanded, local leadership replaced, and wider checks launched across other detention units.
“This comes in the context of the biggest corruption clear-out in British policing history, which has seen more than 1,400 officers and staff leave the Met in the last three years,” he said. “Much more work will be required to redress the systemic, cultural, leadership and regulatory failings that have allowed misogyny, racism, anti-Muslim hate and a lack of public service ethos to put down deep roots. While there are no quick fixes, I will be relentless in working with the good majority of our people to bring this about.”
The IOPC said it expects both the Met and Gloucestershire Police to agree with its findings and arrange for the accelerated hearings “as soon as possible in the coming weeks.” The watchdog has also requested access to unbroadcast Panorama footage to assist with ongoing misconduct processes.
A separate investigation continues into the conduct of an 11th individual – a Met detention officer – as well as further allegations outside the scope of the current proceedings. One officer remains under criminal investigation for an alleged attempt to pervert the course of justice.
In addition, the IOPC confirmed it had opened a new independent investigation into a serving Met sergeant based at Charing Cross, who was arrested on 2 October on suspicion of perverting the course of justice following a referral from the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards.
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