Number of Metropolitan Police officers being dismissed hits new high

The number of Met police officers being dismissed has reached a new peak, with over 100 officers dismissed last year.

Figures show that 113 police officers were dismissed in 2023, or would have been dismissed if they had not already left the force, as a result of misconduct or incompetence.

There were 35 per cent more dismissals last year compared to in 2022 when 84 rogue officers were fired from the force.

The number of officers who have lost their jobs due to misconduct or incompetence has also doubled since 2020, when only 52 officers were terminated.

But the backlog of misconduct cases waiting to be heard has also reached a new high.

Nearly 400 misconduct cases are yet to be heard with Labour calling for the Met to clear the backlog faster so Londoners can see the police are trying to regain their trust and confidence.

Some 397 misconduct cases are yet to be heard, rising by 42 cases since October.

There are 344 officers who are still in the force that are waiting to have their cases heard.

Last year the Casey Review found the Met Police was institutionally sexist, racist and homophobic and that failings go well beyond the actions of “bad apple” officers.

London Assembly Labour Policing and Crime Spokesperson Unmesh Desai said the figures show the force is “making progress”.

Mr Desai said: “Londoners rightly expect police officers to act with the highest standards of integrity. We have not seen those in recent years – with some police officers perpetrating horrendous crimes.

“Following the Casey review, Londoners demand better. We know there is much more to do but these figures show that London’s police force is making progress.

“I urge the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and Mayor Sadiq Khan to make sure Londoners keep on seeing those higher standards which will win our trust and confidence. They can start by addressing the backlog of misconduct cases so that rogue officers are held to account.

“Without this, Londoners will not feel confident reporting crimes or helping investigations, meaning more crimes will go unsolved and fewer criminals held to account.”