The Metropolitan Police is failing to root out corruption, an inspectorate report has found, amid a warning that more than 100 officers with criminal convictions have been hired in two years and not monitored.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) released the report following an independent panel’s conclusion that the force was “institutionally corrupt” over its failure to properly investigate the 1987 murder of Daniel Morgan, the private investigator.
The inspectorate found that some officers recently recruited by the force were “closely connected to known criminals”, while others have convictions for handling stolen goods, possession of drugs and assault.
On Tuesday, the HMICFRS concluded that the Metropolitan Police’s plan to address corruption is “not fit for purpose” and criticised the force’s “arrogant, secretive and lethargic” approach in tackling the problem.
In 2019 and 2020, the inspectorate found that the force hired 109 new recruits with previous convictions - ranging from the “relatively trivial”, such as juvenile shoplifting, to more serious offences. The figure had increased compared to previous years, the Inspectorate said.
While some appointments may have been justified, the Metropolitan Police failed to monitor the recruits once they had joined to lessen the risks they posed, the Inspectorate said.
Concerns were also raised over the organisation’s “chaotic system” for storing exhibits in criminal investigations, resulting in cash, jewellery and drugs being left unaccounted for.
The report cited “particularly disturbing” examples, including cocaine which was seized by the homicide command going missing, and the password for one storage room being clearly inscribed on the door.
In total, the force has lost 3,428 items in the past five years.
The Metropolitan Police also has at least 2,000 missing warrant cards from former officers. The Inspectorate warned that has “sinister implications” following the murder of Sarah Everard last year, who was lured into Wayne Couzens’ car using his police badge.
The report called for officers to be revetted when transferred between forces - a further nod to errors made in the years leading up to Miss Everard’s death, after Couzens was not reassessed when he joined the Metropolitan Police from another force.
“In too many respects, the findings from our inspection paint a depressing picture,” Matt Parr, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, said.
“The force has sometimes behaved in ways that make it appear arrogant, secretive and lethargic. Its apparent tolerance of the shortcomings we describe in this report suggests a degree of indifference to the risk of corruption.”
However, HMICFRS said it found “no evidence” of any deliberate attempts by the Metropolitan Police to frustrate the work of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel. It also said it would not describe the force as institutionally corrupt.
The report praised the force’s effort to reduce the number of personnel who had not been vetted. In 2018, approximately 16,000 Metropolitan Police staff – 37 per cent of its entire workforce – had either never been vetted or it had expired. By September 2021, it was 671.
However, Mr Parr added: “It is unacceptable that 35 years after Daniel Morgan’s murder, the Metropolitan Police has not done enough to ensure its failings from that investigation cannot be repeated. In fact, we found no evidence that someone, somewhere, had adopted the view that this must never happen again. This will be understandably distressing for Mr Morgan’s family and friends, to whom we send our condolences.
“We found substantial weaknesses in the Met’s approach to tackling police corruption. From failing to properly supervise police officers who have previously committed offences, to inadequate vetting procedures, and much more besides, it is clear that the current arrangements are not fit for purpose. The Met’s apparent tolerance of these shortcomings suggests a degree of indifference to the risk of corruption.
“We have made several recommendations for change. If public confidence in the Metropolitan Police is to be improved, they should be among the commissioner’s highest priorities.”
On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police pushed back on some of the criticisms in the Inspectorate’s report, including hiring recruits with convictions - saying that it believes in “giving people a second chance”.
Sir Steve House, the deputy commissioner, said: “I take counter-corruption work very seriously. It is well resourced and we have been praised for our work in this area. This will continue.
“But prompted by the police inspectorate, we will look at the structures and processes to make sure they are as effective as possible.
“I am professionally disappointed that some of the elements that support the service in countering corruption have not been working well enough. This is already being put right.
“There are some areas where our judgment is different from the police inspectorate.
“I have read the criticism regarding employing officers with convictions. Each and every case is considered extremely carefully. We believe, in the right circumstances, in giving people a second chance.
“We accept that there is a lot of work to do in order to rebuild the trust people have in us, to show that we are changing and learning.
"We remain completely focused on building a police service Londoners can be proud of.”
Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, said: “The public put their trust in the police and expect them to carry out their duties to the highest professional standards.
“I commissioned this inspection to provide assurance that the Metropolitan Police Service had addressed historic failings in counter-corruption - and whilst the report found some examples of impressive work, I am very disappointed that serious issues still persist.
“Standards must be immediately improved. I expect the Mayor of London and the new commissioner to reverse these deficiencies as a matter of urgency.”