The Metropolitan Police is facing a deepening corruption crisis, with commissioner Sir Mark Rowley warning it could take a decade or more to identify and remove toxic officers within Britain’s largest police force. The warning follows a BBC Panorama investigation that exposed shocking footage of Met officers using excessive force, making misogynistic and racist remarks, and dismissing serious crimes.
The undercover programme, filmed over seven months, revealed disturbing behaviour among Met officers, including derogatory comments about Muslims and immigrants, jokes about rape cases, and admissions of falsifying statements after violent incidents. Officers were also caught discussing ways to avoid being detected by police cameras designed to hold them accountable.
One officer was filmed dismissing a rape complaint from a pregnant woman whose partner allegedly stamped on her stomach, releasing the suspect on bail. Others referred to immigrants as “scum” and spoke of shooting or deporting them. A sergeant was also recorded making repeated sexualised remarks.
Rowley vows to root out corruption
Rowley, under mounting political and public pressure, has called an emergency meeting of Met leaders from chief inspector level upwards. He told them they must raise standards, root out wrongdoing, or resign.
Defending his position, Rowley denied calls for his resignation and rejected claims that the Met is institutionally racist or misogynistic. However, he admitted the scale of the problem is vast, with leadership sources saying the process of removing corrupt officers could stretch well into the next decade.
Since Rowley took over, around 1,500 officers have already been removed, in what he has described as the largest anti-corruption drive in British policing history. But a senior source said: “There will be other stations where this is going on. It could take a decade or more to detect and get rid of these people.”
Investigations into past cases begin
The Metropolitan Police confirmed it is reviewing past arrests, use-of-force incidents, and prosecutions handled by officers exposed in the documentary to check whether cases were compromised.
Nine officers have been suspended and 11 are under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). One officer is facing a criminal probe. Rowley told LBC Radio that the footage provided “incontrovertible evidence” and could allow fast-track misconduct hearings to remove officers swiftly.
The IOPC has also confirmed it may request unbroadcast material from the BBC to expand its investigation.
Public trust in crisis
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the Panorama revelations as “shocking,” while the National Police Chiefs’ Council warned of a potential long-term hit to public trust in policing.
Rowley acknowledged that restoring confidence will be a long road: “This is the biggest corruption clearout in British policing history, but there is still a hell of a lot of road left to travel.”
