Met Police Vow to Build Trust and Tackle Violence in London’s Communities
The Met Police have made big strides in the past 20 years, working hard with London’s diverse communities. Their goal? To build strong relationships, focus on what matters most to Londoners, and recruit officers who truly reflect the city.
But trust remains a major hurdle. Without it, keeping London safe gets tougher—people hesitate to report crime, share info, or back police efforts against violence.
New London Residency Rule to Boost Local Policing
From Friday, 13th November, the Met will reinstate the London residency requirement for most police recruits. The thinking: officers who live in London better understand the city’s unique challenges.
Half of all Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) officers in England and Wales serve in the Met. Currently, nearly 2,000 Special Constables and over 4,500 cadets are proudly diverse. But the Met wants more: aiming for 40% of new recruits from BAME backgrounds starting 2022.
The goal doesn’t stop there. The Met is pushing for more BAME sergeants and inspectors too. A £400,000 fund from Mayor Sadiq Khan will back career development for black officers, helping them climb the ranks.
Training Overhaul: History, Culture & Empathy at the Core
New recruits will dive deep into the history and culture of the areas they police. Thanks to a £1 million yearly Mayor’s grant, community voices will directly shape training.
Stop and search remains vital in fighting violence but is controversial—especially among black communities. The Met is refreshing training to include cultural awareness and empathy, including role-play exercises that swap perspectives between officers and locals.
Commissioner Cressida Dick said: “I want the Met to be the most trusted police service in the world. We have made a lot of progress over many years, but there is much more to be done.”
“Trust is still too low in some black communities, and I feel very sorry about that. It is something I have worked to change and I commit now to stepping up that work further.”
“The Met is not free of discrimination, racism or bias. I have always acknowledged that. In the Met we have zero tolerance of racism and my job is to continue to try to eliminate any such racism, however it appears.”
“We already have many brilliant black officers and staff, and I want to increase their numbers and help them thrive in an inclusive workplace. This will be good for all Londoners and will help us become the most trusted police service in the world.”
More Community Steps and Research Backed Measures
- Community Monitoring Groups now have access to body-worn video.
- Academic research will examine bodycam footage to understand stop and search better.
- New recruits get local history and Community Immersion Projects to deepen connection.
- Officer safety training focuses on de-escalation with input from black community reps.
- Youth Engagement Officers will work in schools to inspire more young black Londoners to join the force.
- Community-led workshops will bring recruits and officers face to face with black Londoners.
- Ongoing partnership with Middlesex University will develop a cultural awareness toolkit for officers.
The Met is promising action, not just words, as it amps up efforts to cut violence and build trust. Londoners will be watching closely.
