Met Police's shame: Devastating report finds Scotland Yard is 'BROKEN' after horror findings
A review has found that the Met Police is 'institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic'
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The Metropolitan Police is institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic, a damning review has found and there may be more officers like killer Wayne Couzens and serial rapist David Carrick.
The report revealed that the Force has failed to protect the public from officers who abuse women, while organisational changes have put women and children at greater risk and female officers and staff routinely face sexism.
It also claimed that there are racist officers and staff and a “deep-seated homophobia” exists in the organisation.
The review by Baroness Louise Casey, which was commissioned following the murder of Sarah Everard, is “rigorous, stark and unsparing”, she said.
Baroness Louise Casey said if the Met Police does not reform, it could face being broken up in future
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When asked if there could be more officers like Couzens and Carrick in the force, she said: “I cannot sufficiently assure you that that is not the case.”
The review also painted an alarming picture of how crimes against women and children are investigated.
Officers are relying on “over-stuffed, dilapidated or broken fridges and freezers” instead of fast-track forensic services, the report explained.
A lunchbox was found in the same fridge as rape samples which would have contaminated the evidence and appliances are so full they have to be strapped shut, it said.
Last summer one fridge containing rape kits broke down, which meant the kits could not be used as evidence and those cases of alleged rape would be dropped.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said he accepts the “diagnosis” of prejudice in the force, however he would not use the term "institutional" as he views it as politicised and ambiguous.
Baroness Casey has called for the Met to “change itself”, adding: “It is not our job as the public to keep ourselves safe from the police. It is the police’s job to keep us safe as the public."
Her 363-page report, which was published today, found that violence against women and girls has not been taken as seriously as other forms of violence.
It found that there is widespread bullying in the Met, with a fifth of staff with protected characteristics – for example, race, sexuality or disability – being victimised.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said he accepts the 'diagnosis' of prejudice in the force
PA
It said: “There have been a number of incidents where baptised [Sikh] officers are picked on. One officer had his beard cut because an officer thought it was funny.
“Another officer had his turban put into a shoe box because they thought it was funny.”
Muslims have also been targeted, with the report stating: “A Muslim officer told us: ‘I found bacon left in my boots inside my locked locker. I was horrified but kept an open mind as to who this could be.
“I was hoping to identify who the culprit was and take appropriate action. I didn’t want to be branded a person who played the race card and out of fear of reprisals did not tell anyone at the time’.”
While an openly gay officer had been targeted with false rumours that he takes recreational drugs and has been involved in sexual relationships with senior officers, and been treated favourably as a result.
If the force does not reform, it could face being broken up in future, Baroness Casey said.