Misconduct in relation to Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) from May 2022 to April 2023
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.030744
I note you seek access to the following information:
- Please provide data on how many Violence Against Women and Girls-related misconduct or gross misconduct cases against police officers and police staff from May 2022-May 2023 in the Metropolitan Police Service.
- Please supply data on the number of officers and staff that were suspended pending the outcome of Violence Against Women and Girls-related misconduct or gross misconduct investigations between May 2022-May 2023 in the Metropolitan Police Service.
- For the years:
• May 2021- May 2022
• May 2022- May 2023
please provide data on the outcome of Violence Against Women and Girls-related misconduct meetings, hearings, and accelerated hearings for police officers and staff in the Metropolitan Police Service, by outcomes of:
• No further action
• Referral to the reflective practice review process
• Reduction in rank
• Written warning
• Final written warning
• Extension of final written warning
• Dismissal with notice
• Dismissal without notice
NOTE: By misconduct and gross misconduct we mean as defined under Regulation 2(1) of The Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, misconduct means a breach of Standards of Professional Behaviour that is so serious as to justify disciplinary action and gross misconduct means a breach of Standards of Professional Behaviour that is so serious as to justify dismissal.
NOTE: By VAWG-related misconduct or gross misconduct we mean as measured in the NPCC Violence Against Women and Girls Benchmark as some form of inappropriate sexual conduct (rape, sexual assault, abuse of position for sexual purpose and other sexual conduct) and discreditable conduct, which is a defined standards of professional behaviour which would include inappropriate sexual behaviours or domestic abuse.
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.
Please find below information pursuant to your request above.
A spokesperson for the Met said:
“We want to make London a safe city for women and girls. Every day we are out tackling violence and abuse and arresting predatory men. We are using the same specialist tactics and technology to identify and bring more offenders to justice as we do for other serious crime. We are working closely with partners and any whose expertise can help to improve the response and support women and girls get.
“We know we have much more to do and we are working hard to improve so that women and girls feel safe, and have confidence in our service to them.
“This must start with us.
“We recognise identifying and bringing to justice those in the Met who corrupt our integrity by committing abuses against women and girls is vital in rebuilding the trust of our communities and increasing reporting.
“We have taken important steps towards this. We have the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Offences (DASO) Unit staffed by experienced officers with a background in investigating domestic abuse and sexual violence, who now are using those skills to investigate allegations made against serving officers and staff, and a focus on victim-survivor care
“We have a new Anti-Corruption and Abuse Command, with detectives who are bringing the same investigative approach to identifying wrongdoing in our ranks as we do to identifying organised criminality. We also launched the first ever public appeal line - the Crimestoppers Police Integrity Hotline to make it easier for the public to report officers of concern, an initiative now planned for rollout nationally.
“We recognise there is far more work to be done to effectively tackle all types of violence against women and girls and to gain trust.”