Ten officers to face fast-tracked disciplinary proceedings over conduct at Charing Cross police station

The investigation, which began on September 12, followed a mandatory referral from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) after secretly filmed footage broadcast in a BBC Panorama programme showed officers “bragging about excessive use of force”, and making discriminatory and misogynistic comments.

Since then, the IOPC said a dedicated team of investigators have been working hard to review the evidence in a timely manner, including CCTV footage obtained by the MPS and documentary footage shown on BBC Panorama.

“As a result, we have identified sufficient evidence to show clear breaches of police standards of professional behaviour for ten officers and decided they should face fast-tracked disciplinary proceedings for gross misconduct,” it added.

The allegations include excessive use of force, making discriminatory and misogynistic comments, and failing to report or challenge inappropriate behaviour, and are alleged to have occurred both on and off duty between August 2024 and January 2025.

The ten officers are eight serving MPS officers – three police sergeants and five police constables; a former MPS constable; and a Gloucestershire Police constable who moved to the force from the MPS,

IOPC Director General Rachel Watson said: “We were appalled by some of the behaviour and conduct displayed by a group of Met officers based at Charing Cross in the documentary.

“The public would rightly expect swift action being taken to remove officers who have no place in policing and a large team of investigators from across the country have been working at pace to analyse the evidence.

“As a result, we have this week notified the Met and Gloucestershire Police of our view that there is sufficient evidence to merit bringing accelerated gross misconduct proceedings for ten officers.

“This sends a clear message that the type of behaviour seen in the documentary is taken extremely seriously and immediate action will be taken to enable the forces to dismiss officers at the earliest opportunity, where appropriate. We also acknowledge the swift assistance of officers from the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards and the evidence they’ve provided to support our investigation.

“We anticipate that both forces will agree with our decision on accelerated proceedings and make arrangements for these hearings to take place as soon as possible in the coming weeks, in line with proper processes.”

The IOPC said it had made requests to the BBC to provide it with any relevant un-transmitted material, which will assist with the misconduct processes, and it continues to liaise with Panorama on this matter.

An investigation into the conduct of an 11th individual – a MPS designated detention officer – remains ongoing, along with further allegations in relation to a number of officers that do not fall within the scope of the accelerated proceedings.

One of the officers – a police constable – remains under criminal investigation for the potential offence of perverting the course of justice.

The IOPC has also begun a separate independent investigation this week into the conduct of a serving MPS sergeant, based at Charing Cross, following a referral from the force after the officer was arrested by the MPS’s Directorate of Professional Standards on October 2 on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

MPS Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has described the behaviour of officers exposed in the BBC Panorama programme as “reprehensible and completely unacceptable”.

He said: “I have been very clear from the outset that I wanted to see all those responsible for this appalling behaviour facing gross misconduct hearings at the earliest opportunity. They have no place in the Met.

“After watching Panorama last week and seeing the behaviour for myself, I requested the early consideration of accelerated misconduct hearings, and I welcome the IOPC’s decision to pursue this course of action.

“We have worked together to deliver this uncompromising approach at greater speed than ever before and the hearings will take place by the end of the month.

“Londoners would expect nothing less and for those found responsible to be exited from the Met and off the payroll as soon as possible.”

Sir Mark added: “Within 48 hours of the allegations being received from Panorama, nine officers and one staff member had been suspended, with two more officers removed from frontline duties. I am extremely grateful for the swift enquiries undertaken by the IOPC since the investigation was referred to them.

“We have since disbanded the custody team at Charing Cross, made changes to local leadership and have begun wider work to identify any other areas of concern in detention teams across the Met. More action will follow.”

Sir Mark said this comes in the context of the “biggest corruption clear-out in British policing history”, which has seen more than 1,400 officers and staff leave the MPS in the past three years.

“Much more work will be required to redress the systemic, cultural, leadership and regulatory failings that have allowed misogyny, racism, anti-Muslim hate and a lack of public service ethos to put down deep roots,” he said.

“While there are no quick fixes, I will be relentless in working with the good majority of our people to bring this about.”