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| Sir Mark Rowley speaking at the Policy Exchange, a right-wing policy think tank. |
In the wake of the recent data on the disciplinary sanctions for racism within the Metropolitan Police Service (the Met), our community stands at a disheartening juncture. The figures are not just numbers; they paint a vivid picture of systemic discrimination and a culture of institutional racism deeply embedded within the fabric of the Met. A mere glance at the success rates of public race complaints against the Met reveals an uncomfortable truth: these complaints have little to no chance of succeeding.
This reality explains why no one has any confidence in this sham of a police complaints process presided over by a political Commissioner who, when it comes to racism, has bought fully into this government's cynical perspective on systemic racism as demonstrated by the totally discredited report by Lord Tony Sewell and their cynical and divisive "war on the woke."
The Metropolitan Police Service's handling of racial complaints underlines systemic discrimination, a concern validated and definitively proven by the Casey Review's findings on institutional racism within the Met. Casey's Review highlights a complex, dysfunctional policing culture resistant to acknowledging and addressing racial biases, misogyny and homophobia. Casey also raises concerns about the Met's targeting of Black and Asian police officers in misconduct cases.
The Met's near-zero success rate in positively resolving racial complaints is a scandal in a hyper-diverse city like London. This City needs a Commissioner fit for the 21st century, not one whose view of racism can be traced back to Dixon of Dock Green.
Urgent radical reforms are now needed to avoid the inevitable rerun of 2011. Either the City learns, or it will burn, and nobody wants that. The Mayor, the new Home Secretary, and, at some point, a new Commissioner (credible sources are saying Rowley will be gone after the general election) need to urgently focus on introducing transparent processes, accountable actions, and independent oversight to rebuild community trust and dismantle the legacy of institutional racism.
Any new systems must be independently funded and co-produced by London Black communities as recommended by the Black Thrive report that consulted thousands of Black Londoners.
The call for urgent and radical change is now more pressing than ever.During the 2019/20 period, out of 346 race discrimination allegations made by the public, only 12 officers received disciplinary sanctions that resulted in actions beyond "Not Proven" or "No Action." This trend worsened in 2020/21, with only 10 officers disciplined out of 584 allegations. This equates to a success rate of approximately 3.47% in 2019/20, plummeting to about 1.71% in 2020/21. The chances of a sex complaint resulting in disciplinary action were similarly dismal.
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| @Lee Jasper |
What does this say about the complaints process within the Met?
Clearly, it is not working, not for a purpose and is, in fact, deeply counterproductive. It fails to hold officers accountable for their actions and maintaining and building the community's trust. The system's inability and unwillingness to address grievances against racist officers sends a message that Black Londoner's concerns are neither valid nor important. This, in turn, corrodes community confidence and trust in the police, further widening the deep chasm between the Met and the very people it is supposed to protect and serve.
The murder of George Floyd in 2020 sparked global outrage and a pledge for sweeping anti-racist reforms within police forces worldwide, including the Met. Yet, the data post-2020 tells a story of promises unfulfilled.
Despite public commitments from the National Police Chief Council and the introduction of the Mayor of London's Race Action Plan, the likelihood of the Met successfully addressing race complaints has not improved; in fact, it has decreased.
This divergence between commitment and action deepens the racism wound and starkly highlights the chasm between the Comissioner's liberal rhetoric and the racist reality. The never-ending series of police statements committing to radical anti-racist change now ring hollow in the minds of London's Black communities. But ask not for whom the hollow bell rings; it rings for thee.
The Metropolitan Police Service Political Attack on Black and Asian Officers
This systemic inertia is further exemplified by the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) recent racially motivated misconduct investigation against Charles Ehikioya, Chair of the Met Black Police Association (Met BPA). This overtly political act of suppression underscores the systemic racism ingrained deep within the MPS—a reality grimly outlined by a wide range of national Black organisations united in decrying this targeting by an eager Commissioner is we beleive as an egregious extension of the government's ideological 'war on the woke'. The clock is ticking on this Commissioner. He's run out of road in his desperate attempt to convince us he's the man to confront and dismantle the MPS's culture of racism and discrimination.
There are very few self-respecting Black people or organisations in London who genuinely believe the Met can reform itself under his command.
His supporters, such as they are, and there are some, are primarily funded by the Met and or the Mayor. These few Black organisations that support the Commissioner are primarily private companies or 'charities' that are not democratically accountable to the broader community, have no mass base support beyond their immediate funding influence and are content to provide political fig leaf cover for the right funding price for a violent, racist and misogynist police service in denial.
Black public attitude surveys consistently demonstrate that few in any of London's Black communities support the positions of these groups that systemic racism isn't the problem and we can work with the Met regardless of the Commissioner's position in refusing to acknowledge institutional racism.
As London approaches significant political milestones, including the Mayoral and General elections, the urgency to address systemic police racism intensifies. The MPS's weaponisation of the misconduct system against Black officers, alongside the denial of institutional racism by MPS Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, underscores a significant barrier to progress. The APA, in collaboration with national Black organizations, including the NBPA, demands immediate action against this backdrop of failed policies and empty assurances.
National Black Police Association's Stand
The National Black Police Association's call for a boycott of police recruitment in response to attempts to undermine and replace the NBPA highlights the crisis of confidence within the force. Andy George, President of the NBPA, expresses a lack of faith in the MPS's leadership to enact necessary reforms, recommending a halt on BAME recruitment until significant changes are made. This extraordinary step underscores the severity of the situation, demanding rigorous accountability and support for those in need.
The APA fully supports the NBPA's demands to end the racially motivated investigation against the Met BPA Chair and calls for genuine, transparent reform within the MPS. As we navigate critical election milestones, our collective effort to demand a policing system that is fair, just, and accountable to all Londoners has never been more urgent.
Stuart Lawrence's Reflections
Adding to the chorus for change, Stuart Lawrence, brother of Stephen Lawrence, voices concern over the Metropolitan Police's slow pace of reform. His observations about the London Policing Board becoming a space for mere affirmation rather than meaningful oversight reflect a broader disillusionment with the Met's response to calls for change. Lawrence's call for a policing service that truly serves Londoners underscores the pressing need for transformation within the Met.
As the Chair of the APA, I am calling for immediate and meaningful reform. This includes establishing an independent body to oversee complaints against the police and ensuring that every allegation is investigated thoroughly and impartially. We must also increase transparency around the disciplinary process, allowing the public insight into how decisions are made and ensuring that justice is done and seen to be done.
The figures before us are a wake-up call. They demand action, not just words. It's time for the Metropolitan Police Service to transform from an institution where complaints go to die into one where justice is actively and fairly pursued. Anything less continues the legacy of systemic discrimination and institutional racism—a legacy we cannot afford to carry into the future.
Our fight against this deep-seated injustice continues, fuelled by the undeniable evidence of a system that fails to protect and serve all members of our community equally. The time for change is now.
Mayoral Elections.
London's next mayor has a mission impossible on their hands, and it's all about cleaning up our city's policing mess. With the Baroness Casey Review laying it all out in black and white, confirming the Met's deep-seated issues with racism, misogyny, and homophobia, the question every Londoner needs to ask the mayoral hopefuls is loud and clear:
"Do you acknowledge the systemic racism within the Met, as exposed by the Baroness Casey Review? And if Sir Mark Rowley continues to deny this undeniable truth, are you prepared to demand his resignation?"
The stakes couldn't be higher, and with the mayoral elections around the corner, we need leaders bold enough to face the facts and act. It's not just about admitting is a problem but about taking decisive action to fix it.
So, to every candidate out there: Will you be the mayor London needs to finally turn the tide on police racism, or will it be more of the same? Londoners deserve to know."
