Recent undercover filming by BBC Panorama has exposed a deeply troubling culture of misogyny and racism within the Metropolitan Police, particularly at Charing Cross police station. The footage, gathered over seven months by an undercover reporter working as a designated detention officer, reveals serving officers making shocking sexualised and racist remarks, mocking victims of rape, and glorifying the use of force against detainees. This comes despite the Met’s previous assurances that toxic behaviours would be eradicated following high-profile incidents such as the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer.

The Panorama investigation recorded officers dismissing the testimony of an alleged rape victim, with Sergeant Joe McIlvenny, an experienced custody sergeant, minimising the severity of her claims by responding, "That's what she says." The sergeant was also filmed making graphic sexualised comments that colleagues found offensive and inappropriate. This aligns with concerns voiced by Sue Fish, a former chief constable and misconduct hearing overseer, who described McIlvenny’s behaviour as "completely inappropriate, very misogynistic" and warned about the terrifying power such officers hold over the safety of women. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) had previously investigated Charing Cross nearly four years ago after whistleblowers exposed bullying and discrimination, yet Panorama’s findings demonstrate persistent issues within the station despite those earlier efforts.

The exposed footage also shows officers openly celebrating excessive and potentially unlawful use of force. PC Martin Borg recounted how a fellow sergeant stamped repeatedly on a restrained detainee’s leg, laughing about their readiness to falsify statements to justify it. Such actions could amount to perverting the course of justice, according to experts. Another officer joked about violently forcing detainees' fingerprints by damaging their tendons, revealing a disturbing acceptance of brutality among some custody staff.

Beyond misogyny and excessive force, the Panorama investigation revealed overt racism and xenophobia among officers. PC Phil Neilson, a constable on the West End team, made extreme and violent comments targeting immigrants, Muslims, and ethnic minorities, suggesting detainees should be shot or left to bleed out. Other officers described Muslims as "a serious problem" and openly expressed hatred towards immigrants from the Middle East and Africa. These revelations starkly contradict police standards that prohibit discriminatory behaviour and conduct that undermines public confidence.

The toxic culture uncovered by Panorama echoes historic and systemic problems within the Met Police documented in other inquiries and reports. For instance, a previous investigation detailed how misogyny and institutional sexism led undercover officers to deceive women into sexual relationships to maintain cover or gather intelligence, with senior officers aware but failing to intervene. Separate historic inquiries have exposed the Met’s use of undercover officers to spy on police justice campaigners, highlighting a pattern of discriminatory policing eroding public trust.

The IOPC’s broader inquiry into the Met previously unearthed “disgraceful” misogyny, bullying, and sexual harassment, which included officers exchanging offensive and discriminatory messages. This led to 15 recommendations for reform, yet the latest findings suggest cultural problems remain deeply ingrained. Cases of officers sharing offensive WhatsApp messages mocking vulnerable groups, including disabled children, have also resulted in disciplinary action but signal ongoing cultural failings. Former officers and whistleblowers have repeatedly described a pervasive masculine, macho culture where casual misogyny is normalized and women are pressured to conform.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has condemned the behaviours revealed by Panorama as "disgraceful, totally unacceptable and contrary to the values and standards" of the force. The Met has suspended eight officers and one staff member following the BBC’s detailed allegations and referred the matter to the IOPC for further investigation. Sir Mark affirmed the force’s resolve to root out such individuals, referencing that over 1,400 officers and staff have left since 2022 due to failure to meet professional standards—the largest purge in the Met’s history. However, the persistence of such damaging attitudes and conduct illustrates the challenges faced by the police in restoring public trust and reforming deeply embedded cultures of misogyny and racism.

This troubling exposé by Panorama, alongside previous investigations and whistleblower testimonies, underscores an urgent need for systemic change within the Metropolitan Police. It highlights how entrenched sexist and racist attitudes continue to undermine the integrity and accountability of one of the UK’s most high-profile law enforcement institutions.

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Source: Noah Wire Services