The interim report of Baroness Casey’s review into standards of behaviour and internal culture in the Metropolitan Police notes serious concerns about the force’s handling of misconduct claims.

In a letter to Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley of 17 October 2022, the day on which the interim report was published, Casey highlighted the key issues that her review had so far revealed. The Met, she said, was taking too long to resolve misconduct cases. Officers and staff did not believe that action would be taken when concerns regarding misconduct were raised. Allegations of sexual misconduct and other discriminatory behaviour were less likely than others to result in ‘case to answer’ decisions. The Met did not find and discipline its officers with repeated, or patterns of, unacceptable behaviour. It did not fully support local professional standards units to deal effectively with misconduct. Indeed, it was unclear about what constituted gross misconduct and what would be done about it. Furthermore, there was racial disparity throughout the Met’s misconduct system. Finally, Police Regulations 2003 SI No 527 reg 13 (discharge of probationer) was not being used fairly or effectively, with not enough unsuitable officers dismissed and the regulation used disproportionately on officers from ethnic minorities.

The final report of the review, launched in light of public concern following the murder of Sarah Everard by then serving Met officer Wayne Couzens, alongside a number of other incidents, is expected to be published in February 2023.