Nine deviant Metropolitan Police officers have been suspended due to allegations of excessive force and misogyny. The suspensions arise from a BBC investigation, wherein a reporter secured employment as a civilian detention officer in the custody suite at Charing Cross police station.
The police watchdog has stated that accusations, to be presented in an upcoming Panorama documentary, include disproportionate use of force, discriminatory and misogynistic remarks, and a failure to report or confront inappropriate conduct.
The officers under investigation have ranks from police constable to sergeant, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The accusations pertain to nine active Metropolitan Police officers, a former Metropolitan officer, and a current designated detention officer.
The police oversight body received a referral from another police department over the actions of a former Metropolitan officer stationed at Charing Cross, who has now been reassigned.
The purported wrongdoing reportedly transpired both within and outside of duty hours, from August 2024 to January 2025.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe stated, “These allegations are troubling and involve numerous individuals. We recognise the public’s concern, especially considering our prior investigation into analogous allegations at the same police station.”
“We want to reassure the public that we will carry out a robust, independent investigation.
“We understand the Met was alerted to these allegations by a third party, and we have written to that party to request that it urgently provides us with information that will be central to our enquiries.
“Our priority at this stage is to secure all of the relevant evidence.”
The investigation is in its early stages, and the IOPC will provide further information when it is in a position to do so, the police watchdog said.
In a bizarre statement, Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “As a result of information received on 9 September 2025, enquiries were immediately launched by our Directorate of Professional Standards into allegations of criminality and misconduct by officers and staff based at Charing Cross Police Station
“The behaviour as reported is disgraceful, and nine officers were suspended within 24 hours of the allegations being assessed, and another two officers have been removed from frontline duties.
“Rapid steps to secure evidence and protect the public have also been taken.
“We asked the IOPC to look at this and welcome their decision to take on the investigation.”
Mr Twist said the force is taking “immediate steps to dismantle the current custody team” at Charing Cross police station, which he called an “exceptional reset” that will ensure high standards.
He added: “In addition, we are scrutinising more widely the leadership and culture within these teams, led by Professional Standards and senior leaders, to root out any further failings.
“The leadership of these teams failed to create the right culture that identified warning signs or generated confidence in junior colleagues to report.
“This is one of the reasons we are taking such assertive, exceptional action.”
Mr Twist continued: “The Met has been steadily regaining the trust of Londoners, but we are under no illusions about the continued challenge we face.
“We will be relentless, leaving no stone unturned, in removing people who have no place in the Met.”
Charing Cross police station has previously come under fire after a 2022 report by the IOPC revealed officers had exchanged highly offensive messages, including repeated jokes about rape, domestic violence and violent racism as well as homophobic language and derogatory terms for disabled people.
The IOPC took the unusual step of publishing the messages in full and said the behaviour it had uncovered was “disgraceful”.
The Charing Cross report was part of a string of damaging scandals to hit the force that led former Met Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick to announce she was stepping down from her role in February 2022.
It is unknown if any of the Metropolitan Police officers will be charged with sexual assault.
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