More than 1,000 Metropolitan Police officers are currently suspended or on restricted duties as the force intensifies efforts to root out rogue officers, following the convictions of former officers David Carrick and Wayne Couzens. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said the number of affected officers—one in 34 of the 34,000-strong force—is almost the size of a small police force.
The Met revealed that 183 officers are suspended and 860 are on restricted duties, with 450 under investigation for historic allegations of sexual or domestic violence. Cundy warned that removing all corrupt officers could take years, with plans to hold around 30 misconduct hearings and 30 gross incompetence hearings each month, potentially leading to 60 sackings monthly.
The crackdown follows a series of scandals that have shaken the Met, including the murders committed by Wayne Couzens and the rapes by David Carrick. Baroness Casey's blistering review earlier this year singled out the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, where both officers served, for its unhealthy culture. Under new reforms, officers will be rotated out of the unit every eight years.
Former inspector Zoe Billingham described the figures as 'eye-watering' but said the problem would likely worsen before improving. She added that Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley had 'absolutely no choice' but to take action. The force has also reviewed 1,600 cases of domestic or sexual violence allegations against officers from the last decade, leading to 11 further assessments and five gross misconduct investigations.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has announced plans to make it easier to sack rogue officers, including a presumption of dismissal for gross misconduct. Sir Mark Rowley had previously described it as 'nonsensical' that he lacked the power to sack staff, as independent tribunals could force the Met to retain officers it wanted to dismiss.
