Diversity isn’t the cause of the Met’s latest scandal

My priority since being elected in 2005, is to ensure that we have safer streets in London. So, I was shocked and appalled that once again, the Metropolitan Police is in the news for all the wrong reasons.

A review has found that two serial rapists were among 131 officers and staff who committed crimes or misconduct after not being properly vetted.

It is the latest in a long line of serious failings by the capital’s police, and even more misconduct from serving officers.

One of the most shocking cases is that of former Met officer David Carrick, who was given 37 life sentences for his crimes, including 71 offences of sexual violence committed over 17 years. 

Carrick was reportedly not properly vetted in 2017, a process that failed to reveal an allegation of domestic abuse against him.

People like this should never be placed in positions of power and authority. Preventing them from joining the police service is precisely what vetting is supposed to achieve. 

Its failure to do so is yet another betrayal of Londoners whom the police are supposed to serve.

I am particularly concerned by the ignorant suggestion that standards among Met staff were tarnished because of supposed diversity targets and pressure from a national recruitment drive. 

This is plainly wrong – and anyone furthering that narrative is just trying to twist the truth to suit their own pathetic agenda. 

Londoners deserve better, and I am tired and saddened of having to repeatedly call out the Met Police for their serious failures.

I am still reeling from the vile misogyny and racism uncovered by an undercover reporter at Charing Cross station last year. Police were found to be mocking the account from a female rape victim, and making inappropriate, sexual comments to female colleagues and civilians. 

These are not isolated incidents, but institutional problems within our police service.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley needs to understand this, and realise that small, incremental rectifications, change nothing. 

That is why I have relentlessly campaigned for reform within the Met, in recent years. One such is my push for them to store the DNA profiles of all serving officers on the police database.

Changes like this are crucial, because of the shocking discovery I made in late 2024, that around half of the Met’s 33,000 officers were missing from the DNA database. This is simply disgraceful.

We need every single officer included. This is essential for crime elimination.

A DNA database would reveal an officer being at a crime scene, as well as having committed a crime or engaged in misconduct. 

Full inclusion is essential for transparency, accountability, and restoring much-needed confidence in the police.

After I raised this issue, the Met stated that improvements had been made and pledged further progress. I will continue to hold them to account and until every officer is on the database.

 We can never again allow a blind eye to be turned to institutional racism, sexism, homophobia or corruption.

I believe we must still go further to uphold the highest possible standards.

In addition to the database, I have argued that every officer, regardless of when they joined, should undergo comprehensive mandatory re-vetting, including psychological testing. 

I believe that their crimes can only have been carried out when they have lost compassion for the public they serve. 

Re-vetting would help identify and remove those people from our streets. It would also allow the Met Police to offer counselling and support to those officers who need help to understand acceptable behaviours. 

There are many ethical police officers in London and across the country. I work with officers in Brent who do outstanding work every day. Removing those who tarnish the reputation of the Met is not only necessary for public assurance, but it benefits the principled officers themselves too.

While not undoing the damage caused, it is also right to acknowledge that these failings stem from past practices. 

It is therefore reassuring that the Met has since toughened entry vetting and removed over 1,500 officers and staff deemed unfit to serve. The Commissioner has rightly committed to cleaning up the force.

But we still have far to go in ensuring safety and reliance on the Met police. 

Ultimately, I would like to see a new social contract between the police and the public.

The prioritisation of safeguarding of all citizens, regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, sex or sexual orientation is of the utmost importance, for both police and the public.

We must now redouble our efforts to ensure that those with authority truly embody the values of the public they serve.

The public deserves to feel safe with the police and I am strongly committed to ensuring that. 

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk. 

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