Met Police Slap Down Barriers to Boost Trust
The Metropolitan Police have come a long way over the past 20 years, ramping up efforts to work with London’s diverse communities. Their goal? Building trust, tackling violent crime, and recruiting officers who truly reflect the city’s vibrant mix.
New Rules to Snag Local Recruits
The Met is cracking down to make sure recruits understand London inside out. From November 13, applicants must live in London to join most entry routes. The idea: hire officers who know local issues and cultures from the ground up.
Race and Diversity: Hitting Targets, But More to Do
- Currently, half of all Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) officers in England and Wales serve in the Met, with over 5,000 strong.
- Nearly 2,000 Special Constables and 4,500 police cadets boast significant BAME representation, alongside 10,000 police staff with over 26% from diverse backgrounds.
- The Met aims for 40% of new officer recruits from BAME groups from 2022 onwards, with a special focus on boosting Black officer numbers.
- Funding of £400,000 from the Mayor will back career development and promotions, targeting fairer access to Sergeant and Inspector ranks.
Training Overhaul Tackles Racism and Builds Empathy
The Met is doubling down on mandatory training covering racism awareness, diversity, and unconscious bias. New recruits will dive deep into the history and cultures of the areas they police, backed by £1 million annually from the Mayor to involve community voices directly in training.
Stop and search—vital yet controversial—is getting a refresh too. Trainees will face scenario-based role play to understand its impact, especially on Black communities.
Commissioner Cressida Dick Speaks Out
“I want the Met to be the most trusted police service in the world. We’ve made progress, but there is much more to do,” said Commissioner Dick.
“I recognise trust is still low in some Black communities, and I’m committed to turning that around.”
“Violence reduction and building confidence in the Met, particularly among BAME communities, are our top priorities. We have zero tolerance for racism and discrimination. I will lead efforts to create a truly inclusive force.”
“More Black officers and staff are already doing brilliant work – I want that number to grow and everyone to thrive in a healthy workplace.”
Extra Moves to Win Hearts and Minds
- Community Monitoring Groups get resumed access to body-worn camera footage, upping transparency.
- Academic study on stop and search videos to understand what sparks escalation.
- Local Community Immersion Projects embedded in recruit training.
- Officer safety training focused on de-escalation with input from Black community reps.
- Youth Engagement Officers to boost recruitment of young Black Londoners through schools.
- Community-led workshops linking new recruits and seasoned officers with Black Londoners.
- Partnership with Middlesex University developing a cultural awareness toolkit based on procedural justice.
The Met is gearing up to keep London safer and fairer, promising a police service Londoners can finally trust.
