More than 120 Met officers still working as normal while under investigation for sexual or domestic abuse

129 Met police officers are still working on the frontline while under investigation for allegations of sexual or domestic abuse, a Freedom of Information request by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

A total of 657 Met officers are currently under investigation for sexual abuse, domestic abuse, or a combination of both.

129 of those officers are still working and carrying out their duties as normal, the Met’s response has revealed. Of these, 57 are under investigation for sexual abuse, 39 for domestic abuse, and 33 for both. This accounts for 20% of all Met offices currently under investigation.

Meanwhile, 293 officers are working on restricted duties, while 136 have been suspended. 99 officers have gone on to leave the force.

These numbers reflect a shockingly similar story to figures from 7 months ago. A previous Liberal Democrat Freedom of Information request from March 2023 revealed that 144 officers were still working on normal duties while under investigation for sexual or domestic abuse. 

The previous figures came just weeks before the Baroness Casey report was published, which strongly criticised the internal culture and standards of behaviour within the Met. The report included recommendations for revamping the Met’s vetting and misconduct procedures. 

The Liberal Democrats have demanded that the Conservatives immediately commission an independent review of the implementation of the Casey report following these revelations.

The party is also calling on the Home Secretary to require police forces to regularly publish figures on how many officers under investigation for sexual or domestic abuse are still working on normal duties.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson said: 

“The fact that it’s business as usual for so many Met officers under investigation for sexual and domestic abuse is as horrifying now as it was in March.

“The Casey report was meant to be a watershed moment for rebuilding trust in the Met. It’s deeply disturbing that we’re still seeing the same attitude towards keeping these officers on the frontlines, seven months on.

“This cannot continue. London deserves better - including the victims impacted, the general public, and the vast majority of decent, hard-working police officers who are blighted by revelations like these.

“There needs to be proper transparency in how the Casey report’s recommendations are being implemented - and the Home Secretary has a duty to ensure that happens.” 

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The Freedom of Information request, submitted by the Liberal Democrats on 10th October, asked the Metropolitan Police Force:  

“How many Met police officers are currently under investigation over sexual and/or domestic abuse claims; and how many of those officers are a) suspended; b) on restricted duties; c) working as normal; and d) have left the force.”

Their answer was as follows: