November 5th 2024.
In the year leading up to March 2024, the number of police officers who were dismissed from their jobs and banned from returning has seen a significant rise. According to new figures from the College of Policing, the total number of officers kicked off the force reached nearly 600, a 50% increase from the previous year's 394 officers. This surge in dismissals comes at a time when the public has expressed growing concerns over the culture within certain branches of the police force. Cases such as the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer and the revelation of a serial sex offender within the Metropolitan police have shed light on the issue.
Among those dismissed, groups of officers were also found to have shared unacceptable and offensive messages on WhatsApp. Shockingly, some of these messages included jokes about rape, domestic violence, and even photos of murdered victims. Out of the total 593 officers dismissed, most were constables, with a smaller number of sergeants, inspectors, and higher-ranking officers also facing dismissal. In addition, 233 police staff and 30 specials were added to the Police Barred List during this time period.
The most common reasons for dismissal, as recorded by the College of Policing, were dishonesty, sexual offences or misconduct, discriminatory behavior, and unlawful access or disclosure of information. These reasons were often cited in multiple cases, with a total of 912 recorded. Shockingly, some officers were also found to have been part of discriminatory WhatsApp groups or in possession of indecent images of children.
Out of the 593 officers dismissed, 79 were from a black or other ethnic minority background, which accounts for 12.7% of the total dismissed. In comparison, the majority of those dismissed were white, with ethnicity being unknown in 14 cases. These figures are concerning, especially considering that only eight percent of officers in England and Wales are from a BAME background.
When looking at individual forces, the Metropolitan Police, Greater Manchester Police, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, and Essex had the highest numbers of dismissed officers. The most common reasons for dismissal among staff and specials were dishonesty, unlawful access or disclosure of information, discriminatory behavior, and sexual offences or misconduct.
Tom Harding, the Director of Operational Standards at the College of Policing, expressed disappointment at the conduct of these officers and emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards in policing. He also reassured the public that effective measures are in place to identify and deal with these officers swiftly, ensuring they cannot hold future roles within the police force. Ultimately, the goal is to attract the right individuals into policing and prevent those who fail to meet the standards from remaining in the force.
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