Met Police: Sir Mark Rowley to introduce anti-corruption and abuse command to clean up force

Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley is introducing a new anti-corruption and abuse command in an effort to clean up the force.

This comes after Met officer David Carrick was unmasked this week as one of Britain’s worst-ever serial rapists.

The Met apologised on Monday after it was revealed that Carrick had been brought to the attention of police over nine incidents including allegations of rape, domestic violence and harassment over two decades.

Sir Mark has pledged to root out issues within the capital’s police service, publishing his ‘Turnaround Plan’ on Friday (January 20) with his plans to reform the Met over the next two years.

The main priorities include:

• Establishing a new anti-corruption and abuse command with a wider and more proactive remit with more resources and accountability.
• Being data driven and evidence-based in delivery, including a greater ability to identify corruption, abuse and misconduct in the Met.
• Delivering a larger neighbourhood police presence with more local officers and an uplift of 1,600 PCSOs.
• Doing more to protect children and target men who perpetuate violence against women and girls.

Sir Mark Rowley said: "This week we have condemned the appalling criminality of David Carrick and shared the missed opportunities over many years to have taken action.

“I know our communities need to see reform in the Met, on issues of standards and culture but also in how we do more to reduce crime.

“I am determined to win back Londoners’ trust.

“We can succeed because of the dedicated, honest, often heroic, men and women who are the great majority of the Met.

“Our work has begun, but I must be candid.

“We cannot achieve the profound reforms needed quickly or without the ongoing help and support of wider policing, politicians, partner organisations and most of all, communities.

“Lifting the stone reveals painful truths that will not be resolved overnight, and it is critical that these truths cause none of us to lose our resolve to renew Peel’s vision of policing by consent.

“We want your views, particularly those related to our approach to neighbourhood policing, community engagement and diversity and inclusion.

“We will publish an updated version of the Plan in April following this period of engagement.”

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Every officer and member of staff at the Met has a part to play in making policing in London better.

“In rebuilding public trust, and restoring the confidence of our communities which is so vital to policing by consent.

“I have spoken to many police officers who feel just as disgusted and let down as I have by what’s been exposed recently, and who are desperate to play their part in raising standards and ensuring the bond between the police and the communities they serve is restored and strengthened to build a safer London for everyone.

“That’s why I wholeheartedly endorse the reforming Commissioner’s Turnaround Plan not just with words but with action – starting with funding for 500 new PCSOs to build on the progress we’re making to reduce violent crime.

“And in the coming weeks, I will be announcing more investment to enhance the work that has already started to rebuild public trust, reduce crime, better support victims and empower the Met further to rid itself of all officers who fall well short of the standards expected by policing and the public.”