By Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service
We know we have let you down. The racist, sexist, anti-Muslim, and misogynistic behaviour exposed by Panorama is appalling and indefensible. It will shake the trust of some, especially among London’s ethnic minority communities and faith groups.
We did not protect the very people we are sworn to serve. That failure will leave some questioning whether their loved ones would be safe in our custody or treated with dignity as victims of crime. We are confronting that truth, not deflecting from it.
We also recognise the wider context: the rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate crime is causing real fear and anxiety. We understand this reality and the pain it brings to our communities. Silence or minimisation is not an option.
Accountability must go beyond individual cases. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is engaging with victims to gather evidence and ensure they receive the support they deserve. But systemic change is happening.
I have been clear for three years that there is a systemic problem and we are determinedly confronting it. The culture within the Met has, for too long, alienated marginalised communities and those of faith.
Over the past three years, we’ve led the most extensive anti-corruption operation in British policing history. Internal reporting has tripled, and nearly 1,500 officers and staff who failed to meet our standards have been removed. We’ve strengthened our vetting processes and deployed counter-terrorism-style tactics to identify and remove the most corrupt.
But this is not just about removing bad officers and staff—it’s about rebuilding trust through transparency, accountability, and cultural transformation.
We’ve restructured the teams at Charing Cross custody, suspended nine individuals within 48 hours, and launched wider reviews across detention teams. Independent assessors, including those from racial justice and faith organisations, are being invited into custody suites to ensure fairness and transparency.
We are opening ourselves to greater scrutiny. From community observers at major events to sharing body-worn video footage, we are asking Londoners – especially those from underrepresented racial and faith backgrounds to hold us to account. This is a new model of public oversight, where community voices will shape the future of policing.
Every borough across London will adopt a stronger, more inclusive model of community scrutiny, one that reflects the full diversity of London.
We’ve made progress. All 40,000 Met staff have received tailored training on our values, including how to challenge victim-blaming and bias. Our teams now understand that children must be treated as children—not criminalised or stereotyped.
Trust is beginning to rebuild. Confidence among minoritised Londoners has risen by 10% in two years. The gender confidence gap is narrowing. Today, 74% of Londoners say they trust the Met, and 81% believe we’re doing a good or fair job.
But we must be honest: these figures are encouraging but do not mean the problem is solved. We are making strides in parts of the organisation, but we know we still have a way to go.
Cultural change demands relentless effort, innovation, and honesty. We are going deeper into the networks, behaviours, and cultures that remain. We’re strengthening policies, testing new technologies to detect concerning trends, and empowering staff to speak out.
And I will hold our leaders to the highest standards. Those who resist change will be held accountable.
I know we have more to do and we can only do it with the support and trust of Londoners —who all regardless of race, religion, or background deserve to feel safe, respected, and heard.
Photo: Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service (Credit: Metropolitan Police Service)
