More than 730 officers dismissed and barred from policing last year
More than 730 police officers were dismissed and placed on the College of Policing barred list in the past year, latest figures show.
In total, 735 officers were put on the list in the 12 months to March 31, 2025, up from 593 the previous year.
The college says the latest annual figures, which cover the 43 Home Office police forces in England and Wales, show a “determined and robust” effort to take firmer action against unacceptable conduct.
The Metropolitan Police Service had the highest number of dismissals (183), with Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley stating the force was engaged in the “biggest corruption clear-out in British policing history”.
It was followed by Greater Manchester Police (43) and Thames Valley Police (40).
The college said there were 1,149 reasons recorded for the dismissals, with several officers having committed several breaches.
The most common reasons given for dismissal were dishonesty (126), discriminatory behaviour (95), unlawful access of disclosure or information (82), inappropriate communication (81) and sexual offences or misconduct (72).
While the majority of officers dismissed were police constables (640), the barred list applies to all ranks, including one chief officer and two chief superintendents, added this year. Thirty-one officers from the Special Constabulary were also dismissed and added to the list.
Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding, director of Operational Standards at the College of Policing, said: “These figures show a determined and robust effort from police forces to rid policing of officers whose behaviour falls below the high standards that we, and the public, expect from them.
“It goes without saying that any time an officer’s behaviour breaches professional standards, or even strays into criminality, it leaves a permanent stain on the reputation of policing. But the public can have confidence that their police forces are quickly identifying and dealing with unacceptable behaviour from officers and staff, who, through being on the barred list, will never work in policing again.
“The message is clear: our policing system is built on upholding our Code of Ethics, on courage, respect and empathy, and public service, and there is no place in our police service for anyone whose behaviour goes against these values.”
Since its introduction on December 15, 2017, a total of 2,834 officers have been added to the barred list.
The barred list is used by police forces in England and Wales, as well as several public bodies, to ensure that officers who are dismissed under police conduct or performance regulations cannot work in policing again. This includes individuals who decide to retire or resign during an investigation.
The college says it aims to promote “greater transparency” in the way that police forces deal with and address misconduct in their ranks.
Read the full report at https://www.college.police.uk/ethics/barred-list/police-dismissals-2024-2025