Key Points
- The Metropolitan Police (Met Police) was declared institutionally racist, sexist, and homophobic in the 2021 independent Casey review.
- Anne Clarke, Barnet and Camden London Assembly member, has publicly addressed the ongoing cultural problems within the Met Police.
- Recent Panorama undercover footage reveals continued racist, misogynistic, and violent behaviour among Met officers, undermining official claims of reform.
- The Met Police has suspended several officers following the Panorama revelations, with Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley condemning the behaviours.
- There has been a significant increase in racism claims among Black, Asian, and minority ethnic officers within the force.
- The National Black Police Association withdrew support from the police race action plan introduced in 2020, citing lack of progress.
- Recruiting diverse officers is seen as a key step toward changing the toxic police culture.
- Police culture is described as entrenched with aggression, intolerance, sexism, racism, and homophobia, especially at street officer level.
- The Met Police’s difficulties in addressing culture are compounded by long-standing leadership failures.
- Justice delivery delays and systemic issues continue to erode public confidence in the Met Police.
- Anne Clarke and various experts call for a national, compulsory approach to reform policing culture beyond isolated force efforts.
How serious are the cultural issues in the Met Police according to Anne Clarke and recent investigations?
As reported by multiple sources including The Conversation and BBC Panorama, the Metropolitan Police is grappling with deeply rooted cultural problems. Anne Clarke, a London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden, has highlighted the persistence of these issues despite official denials and reform efforts. The independent Casey review in 2021 found the Met institutionally racist, sexist, and homophobic—a charge reinforced by recent undercover footage obtained by BBC Panorama.
This footage exposed Metropolitan Police officers engaging in racist, misogynistic, and violent conduct behind the scenes. Several officers were overheard making derogatory remarks about immigrants, Muslims, and victims of sexual assault. Off-duty conversations captured sexist jokes and acceptance of excessive force, directly contradicting the narrative of progress. Sergeant Joe McIlvenny dismissively disregarded a pregnant woman’s serious claims, while other officers recounted violent acts against suspects with laughter. These revelations prompted the suspension of eight officers and reassignment of two others, with Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley branding the conduct “disgraceful” and “entirely unacceptable”.​
What has been Anne Clarke’s role and comments on the Met Police cultural crisis?
Anne Clarke has been vocal about police misconduct and the urgent need for cultural reform in the Met Police. She emphasised that the Metropolitan Police continue to struggle with institutional racism and toxic behaviours highlighted by the BBC’s undercover investigation. Clarke’s role as a London Assembly member places her at the frontline of holding the police accountable to the communities they serve.
She also pointed out that despite attempts to improve diversity through recruitment efforts, these initiatives lack the necessary structural support to create meaningful change. Clarke has stressed the importance of transparent and consistent leadership to drive reforms and rebuild public trust in the force.​
How have minority ethnic officers been affected by the Met Police culture?
According to Anne Clarke and research shared via The Conversation, minority ethnic officers frequently endure blatant racism, stereotyping, and hostility from colleagues within the Met Police. Employment tribunal data shows significant increases in claims related to racial discrimination reported by Black, Asian, and minority ethnic officers.
The National Black Police Association withdrew its backing of the 2020 race action plan, citing inadequate progress and a lack of commitment by some forces to counteract racism. It is reported that officers from minority ethnic backgrounds and women leave policing at higher rates compared to their white male counterparts. This attrition further hinders efforts to diversify the force and address embedded cultural issues.​
What is the broader police culture problem, and why is it hard to change?
Police culture, especially among street officers, is infamous for promoting aggression, hierarchy, intolerance, and exclusionary behaviours. Amnesty International and other reports confirm these traits are embedded deeply within the Met and other UK police forces.
The Casey report identified such behaviours as long-standing, dating back decades, and linked to failures in leadership and accountability. Lord Macpherson’s 1999 inquiry similarly condemned the Met for institutional racism. Despite recommendations to increase diversity and reform culture, progress remains minimal with widespread low confidence from minority communities.
Anne Clarke and experts argue that unless reforms are implemented through a compulsory, national strategy, individual forces will struggle to dismantle these entrenched norms. Leadership training, diversity recruitment, and oversight are necessary but insufficient without systemic transformation.​
What has been the Met Police leadership’s response to these crisis revelations?
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has acknowledged the crisis, describing the legacy issues as a “shameful challenge.” He condemned the misconduct revealed in the Panorama investigation and accepted recommendations from the Casey review. However, Rowley has also pointed out operational challenges such as long court delays – citing Snaresbrook Crown Court listing cases up to 2029 – that impede justice delivery and affect community trust.
Despite acknowledging the majority of officers are “good people,” Rowley admitted that the force remains stretched and efforts to eradicate discriminatory behaviours are ongoing. The Met has introduced leadership training and diversity coaching, but critics say these measures are insufficient without addressing the cultural roots of misconduct.​
Why is the recruitment of diverse officers vital for cultural reform, according to Anne Clarke?
Anne Clarke and policing experts agree that boosting diversity in recruitment is key to breaking cycles of racism and intolerance. The 1999 Macpherson report and subsequent reports by Casey stress the link between representative policing and community legitimacy.
Yet increasing numbers of officers from minority ethnic backgrounds is only part of the solution – substantial support systems must be in place to retain these officers and cultivate a respectful, inclusive workplace culture. Without addressing the everyday racism and hostility minority officers face, recruitment efforts will fail to induce lasting transformation in the Met Police culture.​
What future reforms and approaches are being proposed to tackle Met Police culture?
The consensus among commentators including Anne Clarke calls for a national, streamlined cultural reform strategy with clear accountability across all forces. This would mandate uniform standards for diversity, inclusion, leadership conduct, and misconduct investigations.
Reform advocates urge sustained political will, transparent oversight, and community engagement to rebuild trust in policing. Training programmes focusing on anti-racism, equity, and behavioural change are needed, backed by disciplinary rigor for toxic behaviours.
The cultural dysfunction in the Met Police is deeply entrenched but not irreversible. Meaningful reform requires united, comprehensive action beyond piecemeal initiatives to cultivate a police culture that is respectful, equitable, and trusted by all communities.
