The head of Scotland Yard issued a public apology today ahead of a damning documentary showing a cadre of officers behaving in an ‘appalling criminal way.’
Sir Mark Rowley vowed that nine serving officers, one ex-officer and a designated detention officer would be kicked out of the force within weeks if found guilty of gross misconduct on ‘incontrovertible evidence’ of racism, misogyny, anti-Muslim sentiment and bragging about excessive use of force.
He spoke out ahead of an undercover Panorama programme due to be broadcast tonight exposing how a band of officers at Charing Cross station allegedly made anti-Muslim comments, supported far-right activist Tommy Robinson and used excessive force against suspects in custody.
Scotland Yard is said to be reeling from the sickening comments after the previous Commissioner was forced out of her post over a similar scandal at the same police station.
Dame Cressida Dick had to step down in 2022 after a police watchdog report revealed how 19 officers at Charing Cross shared horrifying messages about hitting and raping women, the deaths of black babies and the Holocaust.
When the new Commissioner took up the post, Sir Mark promised to clean up the force at one of the most troubled times in its history after a serving officer murdered Sarah Everard and another firearms officer was exposed as a serial rapist.
In the latest scandal, a separate group of officers within the custody team at Charing Cross were recorded behaving in an ‘appalling criminal way’.
Today, Sir Mark said the Charing Cross custody team had been disbanded and moved elsewhere due to the Panorama allegations which will be broadcast at 9pm tonight.
Sir Mark Rowley is pictured speaking to Sky News in July this year
Sir Sadiq Khan is seen outside the 2025 Labour Conference in Liverpool
He said: ‘Officers behaving in such appalling, criminal ways, let down our communities and will cause some to question if their sons and daughters are safe in our cells, and whether they would be believed and respected as victims of crime.
‘For that, I am truly sorry.
‘In line with our uncompromising approach, within 48 hours of these allegations being received, nine officers and one staff member had been suspended, with two more officers removed from frontline duties.
‘It’s my expectation that for those involved, where there is incontrovertible evidence of racism, misogyny, anti-Muslim sentiment or bragging about excessive use of force, they will be put on a fast-track hearing within weeks and on a path to likely dismissal.’
Today the Mayor of London gave the Commissioner his backing.
Sir Sadiq Khan said: ‘I’m disgusted and appalled by the behaviour exposed by the BBC at Charing Cross police station, and I fully support the investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which must leave no stone unturned.
‘Sexism, racism, misogyny and the excessive use of force have no place in the police. I have met with the Commissioner to discuss directly the issues exposed by the BBC – and its impact on public confidence and trust in the police. A series of urgent changes have been put in place at Charing Cross police station and across the Met with more to follow.
‘I support the new approach to tackling misconduct set out by the Commissioner. There must be zero tolerance to this kind of behaviour and no hiding place for officers who abuse their position of trust. I can assure Londoners that I will continue to work with the Commissioner and hold him to account to ensure Londoners get the police they deserve.’
On Tuesday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced that the 11 accused were under investigation for potential gross misconduct over allegations of use of excessive force, making discriminatory and misogynistic comments, and failing to report or challenge inappropriate behaviour.
Charing Cross police station
One constable was also under criminal investigation accused of perverting the course of justice.
The incidents are said to have occurred while the officers were both on and off-duty between August 2024 and January 2025.
Messages shared are understood to include support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson and anti-Muslim sentiment.
Earlier this month the force said it was using ‘Al Capone’ style tactics to root out wrongdoers and break-up cliques within the ranks.
Sir Mark added: ‘Having cleared out huge volumes of unsuitable staff over recent years, we are now probing deeper into the corrupt networks and cliques our actions have driven underground.
‘We are hardening our policies, such as bringing membership of secret societies into the light, and deploying AI and analytical intelligence technologies to spot early signs and troubling trends in our staff’s behaviour.
‘The vast majority of our people join policing with a vocational sense of public duty.
‘We’ll support even more staff to report wrongdoing and we will equip and develop our leaders to help them succeed in driving lasting cultural change.
‘Those who can’t or won’t improve should expect to leave.’
But Sir Mark’s comments have angered the police federation who said senior officers should not pre-judge misconduct investigations.
Paula Dodds, Chair of Metropolitan Police Federation, said: ‘The Federation deplores any discriminatory behaviour in the strongest possible terms – such behaviour has no place in policing or society.
‘If officers are proven to be guilty of criminal offences or serious gross misconduct, then we do not want these individuals in the job.
‘But all police officers – like all people – have the right to representation and due process… and not trial by media or documentary. Or indeed senior officers or politicians.’
