170 Met officers are under investigation for alleged domestic abuse
(Picture: PA Archive)More than 170 serving Metropolitan police officers are under investigation for alleged domestic abuse, the Evening Standard can reveal.
Figures from City Hall show that a rising number of police are subject to inquiries. The Standard reported in February that 147 officers had faced allegations of domestic violence against their spouses or partners in the last two years, with just eight per cent of those charged with a crime. Currently 173 serving Met officers have outstanding accusations against them at “different stages” of investigation, according to the Greater London Authority.
Some 152 are subject to live criminal or misconduct proceedings and 21 officers have a case to answer for gross misconduct and are awaiting a hearing, according to City Hall.
Labour London Assembly member Unmesh Desai said the figures showed the “huge challenge” facing new Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who starts this month. “This is a shocking figure and these are only the ones we know about,” said Mr Desai.
“These are officers who have had an official complaint made against them either directly or anonymously through various domestic violence reporting channels. What is important is that no matter how it is reported it is building up a picture for the new incoming Met Commissioner and the scale of the challenge facing him in the force. He has to get to grips with the situation.”
Mr Desai added that some of the officers will be suspended or on restricted duties while under investigation, but others will still be working.
Under new misconduct guidelines announced last month, officers who are violent towards women or girls can expect to be sacked.
Sir Mark will take charge of the Met on Monday, September 12. His predecessor, Dame Cressida Dick, was forced out by Mayor Sadiq Khan earlier this year after a series of controversies.
These included the police watchdog finding “disgraceful” misogyny, discrimination and sexual harassment among some constables and criticism over the Sarah Everard murder inquiry and subsequent protests. Ms Everard was kidnapped and killed by serving Met officer, Wayne Couzens, in March last year.
It comes as the Met prepares to release a report into the number of staff who have been accused of sexual misconduct or domestic abuse over the last 10 years and remain employed.
The Met said the completed review was being scrutinised by bosses. It added that it aimed “to make certain that those who made the allegations are being properly supported and the investigations are comprehensive”.
