The Metropolitan police commissioner has issued direct orders to officers and staff, saying those who make jokes about violent attacks on women or who fail to stand up to hate speech should expect to be sacked.
Sir Mark Rowley issued the instructions, seen by the Guardian, after a review by Louise Casey found racists and misogynists had been left in the ranks of Britain’s biggest police force by a hugely flawed disciplinary system.
Rowley believes clear guidelines on what is not acceptable will remove any excuse from officers and staff that they did not know hateful social media message and comments directed at colleagues would lead to their ejection from the service.
The commissioner said policing was “not an environment conducive to the restrictive language of a convent, but deliberate or reckless prejudice or hatred is of course unacceptable”, adding: “That’s not a licence for humour to be used as an excuse.”
In a message to all officers and staff, Rowley set out three principles and warned those deviating should expect the sack. He wrote: “Please regard this as a direct instruction and the start of our focus on achieving high standards.
“Conduct that warrants dismissal – to avoid any doubt, you are not fit to be in the Met if you do any of the following: legitimise sexual violence in ‘banter’; suggest that colleagues are criminal because of their race or religion; display negative attitudes towards people because of their gender/race/religion; use discriminatory and prejudicial language as a form of abuse, eg ‘gay’ or ‘disabled’.”
He adds: “This list is not exhaustive but it does start to draw a clear line. I find it hard to envisage any circumstances where this behaviour is ever anything else but a route to serious disciplinary proceedings, and dismissal.”
Parts of this new instruction are triggered by the Charing Cross scandals, where between 2016 and 2018 officers shared hate messages on a WhatsApp group. An investigation uncovered messages about hitting and raping women, which were shared by up to 19 officers based mainly at Charing Cross police station in central London.
There were also messages about the deaths of black babies and the Holocaust. One male officer wrote to a female officer: “I would happily rape you … if I was single … if I was single I would happily chloroform you.”
There were also messages containing abuse against Muslims and disabled people.
The then Met police commissioner, Cressida Dick, was ultimately removed as a result of the scandal. The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, said he believed she lacked a plan to address the hate cultures that had taken hold in parts of the Met.
In his letter, Rowley, who became commissioner of the scandal-hit force last month, also warned supervisors, middle and senior managers there could be no more turning a blind eye. Casey found that in some cases, line managers had joined in the abuse or tried to shut down complaints instead of tackling wrongdoing.
The commissioner wrote: “If you don’t, frankly I will consider you as guilty as the offender, and you can expect to face similar consequences. The standard you walk past is the standard you endorse.
“And, for anyone who has received a warning for unacceptable behaviour, but has been allowed to stay in the organisation – a repeat offence will lead to dismissal.”
Rowley wrote of his shame and pain in reading Casey’s conclusions: “I am determined that we will face up to these failings and now succeed in becoming a truly anti-discrimination service – where we have previously failed.
“The findings are a direct challenge for our leaders. From sergeants and police staff supervisors through to myself as your commissioner: it is us who create the culture, systems and standards. We can and must do better.”
Casey found that too many officers and staff were being left in their jobs and the commissioner on Sunday estimated there were “hundreds” of officers who had displayed racism or anti-women views, or been corrupt, who should have been sacked.
Rowley also hinted at an end to any blame culture for those who came clean about honest mistakes, and wrote: “Honest mistakes (ie errors with good intent): if an honest mistake is made, you should always expect and give support, advice and learning. However, I expect immediate candour in such circumstances – if you are evasive or lie to try to avoid accountability then I do not consider your personal integrity to be compatible with policing.
“Respect and good humour: I want the Met to be an organisation where colleagues enjoy being at work, feel respected and are able to thrive. ‘The job’ is tough and requires strength of character and resilience.
“We all have a duty to listen if people tell us our words, tone or actions are upsetting to them – and then respond constructively. This is not about virtue signalling, it’s about respect.”
Rowley repeated that he was optimistic of change and inspired by the heroism and professionalism of the majority of Met officers and staff: “I know the people and character of the Met means we can defeat this corrupting behaviour. I am optimistic we can succeed because of your determination and dedication.”
“But, excellence only comes with candour. If we don’t properly and thoughtfully respond to these findings because they are too painful, we will fail. Our culture, leadership and systems have let you down, especially our Black, Asian and minority-ethnic colleagues, women and the LGBTQ+ community.”
The Casey report found that officers suspected of serious criminal offences, including sexual assault and domestic abuse, were being allowed to escape justice.
Casey was commissioned by the Met after the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer.
