UK Home secretary Priti Patel, said she was "appalled and sickened" by the behaviour of Metropolitan Police officers, following a report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The report reveals bullying and aggressive behaviour, oppressive and offensive behaviours, racial discrimination, toxic masculinity, misogyny and sexual harassment in the MET Police department.
Following the revelation, Patel told a committee of lawmakers there were too many instances of "appalling behaviour" in policing, adding that she would not rule out holding further inquiries into policing conduct.
"I do think there are some very, very serious and significant matters that need not just following up but further investigation through both the inquiry and through the inspectorate, primarily because we're not seeing one-off incidences. It is not isolated. We have seen now too many times, too many instances wherein policing, which has seen the most appalling, just the most appalling behaviours, the most appalling conduct. I also think it shows a failure of leadership in some quarters," Patel said.
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In recent years, many revelations have shaken confidence in London's police service.
"There are no excuses for the appalling behaviour and what we have seen in that IOPC report, and it is quite clear there are cultural problems and issues in policing," Patel added.
She also said, "Should we need to go further, quite frankly we will go further. I wouldn't rule that out. I'm not ruling that out."
Although she blamed a "failure of leadership in some quarters", she said she had confidence in Met Police chief Cressida Dick to bring in changes.
The Met Police said it was "deeply sorry" after the Independent Office published the findings for Police Conduct (IOPC).
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Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan says he has put Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida "on notice" after evidence emerged of sexist, racist and homophobic behaviour among a group of officers.
According to reports, Khan said the Met "needs to urgently show it has an effective plan for restoring the trust and confidence of Londoners in the police and to drive out the culture of racism, homophobia, bullying and misogyny which clearly still exists within its ranks".
The IOPC launched its investigation in 2018, and its report was published on February 1.
