December 13th 2024.
As a concerned individual, I posed a question on social media last year: Should all police officers have their DNA stored in a database? The response I received was overwhelming, with 1,200 reposts and 1,500 replies. However, not all of these responses were kind. In fact, I was bombarded with abuse.
Many people were quick to point out that this was already a requirement for police officers, calling me "moronic" for not knowing this fact. Some even went as far as noting my tweet community for context. But it turns out, my question wasn't as silly as these trolls made it seem. According to reports from the Evening Standard, around half of the Metropolitan Police's 33,000 officers may not have their DNA and fingerprint data on file. This is a concerning issue.
It is mandatory for all officers to provide their DNA and fingerprint data, primarily for crime scene elimination purposes. As officers respond to various crime scenes, they may unintentionally contaminate the evidence. Having their DNA on file can easily eliminate them as suspects.
I have worked with many dedicated and hard-working police officers in Brent, and I know that the majority of them are good people. They put themselves in harm's way to protect us, and it's only logical to have their DNA on file to aid in their investigative work and protect their reputation.
However, the sad reality is that there have been numerous cases of police misconduct in recent years, which have eroded public trust in the police service, especially in London. From sexual offenses to sharing disturbing photos of murder victims, these incidents have highlighted the need for accountability and transparency within the police force.
Some may argue that these are just a few "rotten apples" in the service, but the problem runs deeper than that. That's why I strongly believe that all serving police officers should have their DNA profiles retained on police databases. As the Chair of the London Parliamentary Labour Party and MP for Brent East, I feel a responsibility to hold the Metropolitan Police accountable.
So, learning that as many as 16,600 current serving officers may not have their DNA on file, as reported by the Evening Standard, is appalling. Excuses such as the time it takes to collect data from new officers and transfers between forces are not acceptable. One year ago, I raised this issue with the Met and was assured that the majority of officers were on the database, and the remaining would be added within 12 months. However, it seems that I have been let down.
I have once again written to the Met for an assessment of the numbers and reassurances that they are taking this issue seriously and will rectify it urgently. It is unacceptable that the police can keep DNA samples of innocent civilians for three years, but almost half of their own officers are missing from the database.
Scotland Yard is reportedly planning a multimillion-pound project to collect this missing data, and I will be closely monitoring its progress. But this issue is not limited to London; I believe that all police services across England and Wales should have the same rules in place. This will send a message that vetting standards for police officers are high and help weed out the few bad apples who abuse their positions.
In addition, I have called for mandatory re-vetting of all serving officers and a pay rise for their important work. But before any of that can happen, the Met must address the issue of missing DNA profiles. It is a crucial and straightforward first step in restoring public trust in the police service.
This problem cannot wait any longer, and I am determined to make sure it doesn't. I urge anyone with a story to share to reach out, and I welcome your views in the comments below.
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