Met Police Apologises for Officers’ Appalling Racist and Sexist Messages
The Met Police has issued a blunt apology to Londoners over shocking racist, sexist, and discriminatory messages shared by a handful of officers. The force admits this disgraceful behaviour has seriously damaged public trust and vowed to act tough.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bas Javid Speaks Out
“I am angry and disappointed to see officers involved in sharing sexist, racist and discriminatory messages. It’s clear we have a lot to do to ensure bullying and discrimination does not exist in any part of the Met,” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bas Javid.
He described the offensive messages from 2016-2018 as “unacceptable, unprofessional, disrespectful and deeply offensive” and admitted feeling “disgust and shame” on reading them. The Met didn’t wait for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) report to act — one officer was sacked and another would have been if they hadn’t resigned.
“Every Met employee has also been spoken to about responsible use of social media,” Javid added, promising a force culture overhaul intolerant of such behaviour.
What the Investigation Found
- 14 officers investigated by the IOPC.
- Two had misconduct proven; one dismissed, one resigned before dismissal.
- Four attended misconduct hearings; two received punishments (one written warning, one no action due to improvement).
- Two officers faced unsatisfactory performance reviews; action plans put in place.
- Two underwent reflective practice to improve conduct.
- The remaining four officers cleared of any wrongdoing.
The Met says it is reviewing recommendations from the IOPC report and will respond in due course.
Urgent Reforms Underway to Rebuild Trust
London’s Met Commissioner has appointed Baroness Louise Casey to lead a bold, independent review targeting the force’s culture and standards. The aim is to root out misconduct and restore faith across all communities.
The Met has already beefed up its professional standards team, increasing investigators to crack down on corruption and abuses of power. The disbanded unit involved in the scandal was replaced in 2018 by a new local policing model, with stronger leadership and a focus on professional conduct.
Last year, 12 new Chief Inspector roles were created to drive improvements in local policing standards. The Central West Basic Command Unit, including Charing Cross station, now has a dedicated Chief Inspector leading a proactive team in the West End to tighten scrutiny and leadership.
Keeping the Public and Met Staff Involved
The Met says it is listening closely to Londoners, partners, and stakeholders, acknowledging real change will take time but insisting it is committed to doing everything possible to improve.
Members of the public concerned about Met officers’ conduct are urged to report via the Met Police website or by calling 101.
Met employees can confidentially report issues to anti-corruption officers through the Right Line hotline.
For more details on the force’s action plan and progress, read the Rebuilding Trust – Update on Progress.
