Ten Metropolitan Police officers will face fast-tracked disciplinary proceedings after secret filming captured them making racist and sexist comments. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it had identified sufficient evidence to show clear breaches of police standards of professional behaviour.
The footage was gathered undercover for a BBC Panorama documentary and appears to show officers at Charing Cross police station calling for immigrants to be shot and bragging about using violence against suspects. The misconduct hearings are likely to be held in the coming weeks.
The IOPC said it had found sufficient evidence to merit bringing accelerated gross misconduct proceedings against the officers. The police watchdog has asked the BBC to send any relevant untransmitted material to support the investigation.
Officer breakdown and immediate response
The ten officers consist of eight serving Met officers, including three police sergeants and five police constables. The group also includes a former Met Police constable and a Gloucestershire Police constable who moved away from the Met.
Within 48 hours of the allegations being received from Panorama, nine officers and one staff member had been suspended, with two more officers removed from frontline duties. This swift response demonstrates the immediate action taken by the Metropolitan Police following the documentary's revelations.
One of the officers, a police constable, remains under criminal investigation for perverting the course of justice. Investigations into a Met detention officer are ongoing, according to the IOPC.
Official responses to findings
IOPC director general Rachel Watson said: "We were appalled by some of the behaviour and conduct displayed by a group of Met officers based at Charing Cross in the documentary. The public would rightly expect swift action being taken to remove officers who have no place in policing and a large team of investigators from across the country have been working at pace to analyse the evidence."
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley welcomed the IOPC's decision to pursue accelerated misconduct hearings. He said: "I have been very clear from the outset that I wanted to see all those responsible for this appalling behaviour facing gross misconduct hearings at the earliest opportunity. They have no place in the Met." Rowley added: "I am extremely grateful for the swift enquiries undertaken by the IOPC since the investigation was referred to them."
Disturbing footage details
The Panorama footage shows officer Pc Phil Neilson referring to an immigrant who had overstayed his visa, saying: "Either put a bullet through his head or deport him. And the ones that shag women, rape women, you do the cock and let them bleed out." While drinking at a pub off-duty, he also tells the undercover reporter that Algerians and Somalians are "scum".
Another officer, Pc Martin Borg, brags about a colleague stamping on a detainee's leg and laughs about the suspect screaming. He also appears to say he offered to fill in a false witness statement about the incident.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
