Allegations about sexual conduct involving police officers increased by nearly two-thirds last year, as per a study of recent government data.
In 2024, the number of allegations concerning sexual conduct, encompassing sexual assault and harassment, against police personnel increased to 819, representing a 67 percent rise from the 491 documented in 2023.
This week, the Home Office released information on police misconduct pertaining to forces in England and Wales.
The 819 reported cases represent the aggregate of sexual misconduct allegations submitted via three distinct channels, ranging from standard complaint procedures to the most severe category known as “recordable conduct matters,” which involve actions that have adversely affected a member of the public or have seemingly led to death or serious injury of any individual.
The incidence of recordable conduct concerns pertaining to sexual conduct involving police officers increased by 84 percent last year, rising from 246 to 452, marking the most significant escalation among all categories.
The police department has encountered heightened scrutiny in recent years subsequent to the abduction, sexual assault, and murder of Sarah Everard by active police officer Wayne Couzens.
Subsequent to the unfortunate incident, the Metropolitan Police Service designated Baroness Louise Casey to conduct an independent investigation of its culture and behavioural standards, with the 2023 results indicating a culture of misogyny inside the organisation.
In the previous year, the administration declared measures to rectify deficiencies in police vetting and misbehaviour procedures, aiming to combat violence against women and girls.
In 2024, there were 54,647 formal complaints lodged against police officers, reflecting a 13 percent rise from approximately 47,500 in 2023.
The Home Office stated that alterations to the counting process render comparisons with statistics published prior to 2023 unfeasible.
The Home Office reports that the police workforce has significantly increased in recent years, with the number of police officers rising by 15 percent from March 2019 to March 2023.
Although the latest increase estimates are unavailable, the most current data release indicated that an expanded workforce has influenced the volume of allegations.
The personnel in the Professional Standards division has expanded in recent years, augmenting resources to enhance the investigation and resolution of a larger volume of cases.
Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Sheffield Layla Skinns told PoliticsHome said: “The increase in allegations of sexual misconduct over the last year shows that, rightly, there is growing police attention on such matters.”
“However, more needs to be done to address the institutional sexism and misogyny highlighted by Casey, that underpins it, and to address the ‘rotten barrels’, not just the ‘rotten apples’.”
A National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesperson said: “Police officers and staff should always be held to the highest standards, with those who do not meet these standards swiftly identified and removed.
“Any complaints against police officers and staff will always be reviewed thoroughly to determine what action, if any, is required.
“Much work is ongoing to ensure in policing we have a culture where the public and colleagues feel empowered to report concerns, including misogyny and sexism, if we want to see sustainable change. Those who are not fit to wear the uniform must know that there is nowhere to hide.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The public rightly expect the highest level of conduct from police officers who are responsible for protecting them and enforcing the law.
“We are taking concrete action drive standards up across the country. This includes placing vetting standards on a statutory footing, empowering chief constables to promptly dismiss officers who fail their vetting and creating a presumption of dismissal for proven gross misconduct.
“Forces are encouraging police officers and the public to raise conduct issues, while increasing the size of their professional standards departments to meet this demand and root out those who are not fit to serve.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.