Met Police Reform: Inspectors Praise Progress but Warn Vetting and Anti‑Corruption Failings Persist

The Metropolitan Police has made measurable progress in removing officers deemed unsuitable, but His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service (HMICFRS) warns that significant weaknesses remain in vetting, professional standards and anti‑corruption arrangements.

Inspection Finds Progress — And Clear Gaps

The HMICFRS inspection, carried out between September and November last year, acknowledged "significant efforts" by the Met to improve workplace culture and integrity. Inspectors said the force has invested heavily in integrity systems and has identified and removed around 1,500 officers who should not have been serving.

"It demonstrates the commitment and priority that Sir Mark Rowley has placed on raising standards and changing the cultures and behaviours that have been evident and widely reported on... it's pleasing to see the impact of that," said HM inspector Lee Freeman.

However, the report warns the Met must be more consistent to ensure only the "right people" join and remain in the service. "Just one police officer who shouldn't be serving is one too many, and can cause a lot of harm," Freeman added.

Key Failings Identified

Inspectors highlighted several continuing problems:

Ex-Met Police officer David Carrick was jailed for multiple sex offences [Hertfordshire Police]

• A large backlog of vetting applications: more than 4,000 applications had not been started, and nearly 2,000 contractor vetting applications were awaiting processing.
• At the time of inspection, 182 people — including 129 officers — were working without the correct level of security clearance.
• Vetting interviews were not always carried out, with the force sometimes relying solely on written applications.
• Weaknesses in complaint handling and subsequent investigations, including delays in suspending or restricting officers where appropriate.
• Shortcomings in the use of intelligence to detect corruption, the management of gifts and hospitality, and rules governing secondary employment.
• A policy risk that could allow officers accused of serious offences to resign and seek roles at other forces without detection.

Context: High‑Profile Scandals

The inspection follows a series of high‑profile scandals that exposed cultural and vetting failures at the Met. These include the 2021 murder of Sarah Everard by serving constable Wayne Couzens — a case that revealed vetting lapses — and the 2020 murders of sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman, after which officers were found to have taken and shared graphic images from the crime scene.

A 2022 watchdog report uncovered misogyny, harassment and bullying — including racist, sexist and homophobic messages — at Charing Cross police station between 2016 and 2018. Former officer David Carrick was also later revealed to be a prolific sex offender, further highlighting vetting failures.

Met Response and Next Steps

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and senior leaders have pledged to root out officers unfit to serve. The force says it is partway through a five‑year transformation programme and will continue reforms. The Met told inspectors that nearly 1,700 people judged unsuitable have been dismissed since 2022 and that 1,636 cases related to sexual and domestic abuse allegations against Met employees are under review.

Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams said the force has "consistently acknowledged that transforming our culture is not something we can achieve overnight" and stressed that significant changes have already been made since the inspection.

HMICFRS said it will continue to monitor progress and examine whether the Met's reforms restore public trust and reduce the risk posed by individuals who should not be serving in policing.