New laws will prevent police officers guilty of gross misconduct from hiding behind their uniforms, as they will now face immediate dismissal. This crackdown, ordered by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, comes in response to horrific crimes committed by officers like Wayne Couzens and David Carrick, who abused their positions for personal gain.
Toughening the Rules
Under the new regime, chief constables will preside over misconduct hearings, giving them greater authority to determine whether corrupt officers should be sacked. While the final decision will still be made by a majority panel, senior officers will have the power to challenge lenient rulings. Additionally, a list of criminal offenses that constitute gross misconduct will be compiled, ensuring no misconduct goes unpunished.
Ramping Up Re-Vetting
To prevent similar incidents in the future, re-vetting requirements will be strengthened. This means all officers will undergo periodic checks either randomly or when their vetting expires. A recent nationwide check against police databases is also underway, manually scrutinizing every officer for any potential leads.
A Swift and Robust Action
Home Secretary Suella Braverman emphasized the need to remove corrupt officers and those who fail vetting from the police force. She stated, "For too long, our police chiefs have lacked the necessary powers to root out those who are unfit to wear the uniform. Now, they can take swift and robust action to dismiss officers who should not be serving our communities."
Met Police Supports the Measures
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley of the Metropolitan Police, which failed to identify the misconduct of both Couzens and Carrick, welcomed the new laws. He acknowledged the flaws in the existing regulations, stating that they have hindered efforts to address poor standards and systemic issues.
Disappointing Figures
Recent figures reveal that between October 2021 and March of this year, 1,500 police officers and staff faced accusations of violence against women and girls. However, only 13 of them were dismissed from their positions. Furthermore, over half of the officers reported for abusing their positions for sexual purposes in the past five years are still serving.
Killer Met Cop Wayne Couzens is currently serving a whole-life term for the murder and rape of Sarah Everard.
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