Findings of specialist team investigating domestic and sexual abuse allegations against officers

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.034545

I note you seek access to the following information:

Findings of specialist team investigating 600 domestic and sexual abuse allegations against officers.

On page 147 of 'HMICS Thematic Inspection of Organisational Culture in Police Scotland' published last week, it states:

"12. The then Commissioner also announced the launch of a second investigation, examining MPS practices over the past ten years, and looking at cases where allegations of sexual misconduct or domestic abuse had been made against a police officer or member of police staff still employed by the force. This has resulted in the establishment of a specialist team, which is investigating over 600 domestic and sexual abuse allegations against MPS officers, with the ultimate aim of restoring public trust in the force."

1. Please provide the job titles of those in the specialist team and the number of individuals with each job title (FTE).

2. Please provide details of any preliminary findings/findings of the specialist team.

3. Please provide the date you expect the specialist team to publish its final report.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Please provide the job titles of those in the specialist team and the number of individuals with each job title (FTE).

• Strategic Lead equivalent to a Detective Superintendent x1
• Detective Chief Inspector x1
• Detective Inspector x2
• Detective Sergeant x4
• Police Constable/ Detective Police Constable x20
• Civilian Investigators x10

This is a team of 38 and not all are currently in post.

The Team referred to in the document you have highlighted is called Operation Onyx and is made up of experienced safeguarding Detectives.

As additional context outside of FOIA, the MPS can confirm that team is reviewing not investigating the 600 cases mentioned in the report.

Q2 - Please provide details of any preliminary findings/findings of the specialist team.

The remit of this request is broad in scope and hard to define in terms what can be considered as a recorded ‘finding’ in an ongoing Operatiion. Due to the breadth of this request, the best way to meet your FOIA request is to refer you to the most recent press statement diclosed to the media:

We launched Operation Onyx. This is an ongoing review of every completed sexual offence or domestic abuse case from April 2012 – April 2022 that involved a police officer or member of staff - where the allegation did not result in a dismissal at the time. This relates to about 1,600 police officers and staff. The purpose of the review is to look for any investigative opportunities that may have been missed at the time. The Met is working with partners in the violence against women and girls charity sector, who are providing crucial scrutiny of this work.

Please also find the following publications relating to reform of culture and standards and Operation Onyx which may also be of interest regarding the teams work to date;

The Met updates on the largest reform of culture and standards in decades | Metropolitan Police (April 2023)

Met provides first update on strongest doubling down on standards for 50 years | Metropolitan Police (Sept 2023)

Q3 - Please provide the date you expect the specialist team to publish its final report.

The information you have requested is not recorded as the teams work is currently ongoing.