Sex, racism and bullying probe hits West End cops
A SCOTLAND Yard squad tasked with keeping London’s West End safe is under investigation over sex, racism and bullying allegations.
Eleven serving officers – two sergeants and nine PCs – face a probe along with a former PC.
One constable has been suspended while three PCs and a sergeant have been put on restricted duties in the wake of the claims. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said yesterday it had ‘considerably’ widened a probe which it launched in April last year.
It had started looking at allegations an officer had sex with a vulnerable woman in a room at Charing Cross police station some time before February 2016. But the investigation, which included analysis of mobile phone messages between officers, has led to a string of further serious allegations.
They mainly relate to members of the Metropolitan Police’s former West End Impact Zone team, which saw officers patrol nightspots around Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. It was disbanded after a restructuring.
The watchdog said a small number of officers based at Charing Cross police station and West End Central are also under investigation.
There are allegations that officers may have been involved in perverting the course of justice by deleting messages.
Further allegations include violence towards women, taking advantage of vulnerable people, use of controlled substances including steroids, bullying and racism.
The IOPC said that during its investigation electronic devices have been seized and analysed, officers interviewed and searches carried out under a warrant relating to perverting justice claims.
The Met has also carried out drugs testing as a result of the steroid allegations.
IOPC regional director, Sal Naseem said: ‘These are very serious allegations and it is vital for public confidence that these are independently investigated.
‘We are committed to using our enforcement powers to root out officers whose conduct undermines the public’s confidence in policing and who should not be wearing the uniform. There is no indication this is part of any wider teams within the station but our over-arching report will consider the wider culture and team.
‘We would also like to hear from other officers at Charing Cross station, or the wider public, who may be able to provide valuable information to our investigation.’
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the force ‘takes all allegations of wrongdoing extremely seriously and is fully co-operating with the IOPC investigation’.
He added: ‘The inappropriate behaviours in this matter appear to have been displayed through text messages and the use of social media apps.
‘While the large majority of staff are responsible in their use of social media, the Metropolitan Police Service has issued guidance to all staff around the expectation that they and colleagues maintain the professional standards expected of them as a member of the Met at all times.
‘Officers and staff also have a duty to report, challenge and take action against colleagues where they believe that those standards have fallen.’
‘Very serious allegations’