Police watchdog investigating ‘disgraceful’ behaviour at same station that led to Cressida Dick’s resignation in 2022 over similar misconduct allegations
The Metropolitan Police has suspended nine officers and referred itself to the police watchdog following a BBC investigation into Charing Cross police station, marking the second major scandal at the central London station in three years.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was investigating the behaviour of 11 current or former Met officers and one staff member based at the station, following allegations uncovered by an undercover BBC Panorama documentary investigation.
The accusations include excessive use of force, discriminatory and misogynistic comments, and failing to report or challenge inappropriate behaviour, the police watchdog confirmed on Friday. The BBC contacted the Met this week for a response to the documentary’s findings.
Swift action follows BBC undercover operation
The allegations – which relate to the conduct of nine Met officers, a former Met officer and a serving designated detention officer – are said to have taken place both on and off duty between August 2024 and January 2025, according to the IOPC.
The officers under investigation range in rank from police constable to sergeant. Within 24 hours of the allegations being assessed, nine serving officers were suspended whilst two others were removed from frontline duties.
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards carried out searches of lockers, seizing computers and phones, and effectively sealed off a floor of the station as part of the immediate response to secure evidence.
The IOPC said it had also received a referral from another force relating to the conduct of the former Met officer who was previously based at Charing Cross and has since transferred to a different police service.
‘Disgraceful’ behaviour echoes 2022 scandal
“These are concerning allegations involving a large number of individuals and we understand there will be public concern, particularly in light of our previous investigation into similar allegations at the same police station,” IOPC director Amanda Rowe said.
Met Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist described the alleged behaviour as “disgraceful” and announced immediate action to address the crisis.
“The behaviour as reported is disgraceful and nine officers were suspended within twenty-four hours of the allegations being assessed and another two officers have been removed from frontline duties,” Mr Twist stated.
He added that the Met was taking “immediate steps to dismantle the current custody team at this station, significantly changing the leadership in our custody command and the Westminster leadership team.”
Exceptional reset ordered for station
In what Mr Twist described as an “exceptional reset,” the entire custody team at Charing Cross will be disbanded and replaced, with significant changes to leadership structures throughout the Westminster command.
“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,” Mr Twist said.
The assistant commissioner acknowledged that leadership failures had contributed to the toxic culture: “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.”
History repeats at troubled station
The latest scandal is particularly damaging as it comes just three years after a 2022 IOPC report found “disgraceful” behaviour in the ranks at the same police station. That investigation 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 those messages in full, stating the behaviour was not isolated or simply that of “a few bad apples” but indicative of wider cultural problems within the force.
One particularly shocking message from the 2022 investigation saw a male officer write to a female colleague: “I would happily rape you – if I was single I would happily chloroform you.”
Cressida Dick’s downfall
The Charing Cross report was part of a string of damaging scandals that ultimately led to former Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick announcing she was stepping down from her role in February 2022.
Dame Cressida resigned after losing the confidence of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who had put her “on notice” to rapidly reform the Met or face removal. The mayor’s confidence was particularly shaken by the Charing Cross scandal, coming as it did alongside other controversies including the murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens.
At the time of her resignation, Mr Khan said it had “become crystal clear” that there were “deep cultural issues within the MPS” and that new leadership was “the only way” to achieve the urgent change required.
BBC investigation prompts immediate response
The latest allegations came to light through what sources describe as an undercover investigation by BBC Panorama, with a reporter allegedly obtaining work as a civilian detention worker at the station and secretly recording officers making offensive remarks both at work and whilst socialising off duty.
The forthcoming documentary is expected to reveal further details about the alleged misconduct, including claims of excessive force against prisoners and discriminatory behaviour.
“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 inquiries,” Ms Rowe said, adding: “Our priority at this stage is to secure all of the relevant evidence.”
Public trust under renewed threat
The IOPC director acknowledged the severe impact on public confidence: “We want to reassure the public that we will carry out a robust, independent investigation.”
The watchdog had previously issued 15 recommendations following the 2022 probe aimed at preventing a recurrence of such behaviour, making the emergence of fresh allegations particularly concerning.
Assistant Commissioner Twist admitted the force faces an ongoing challenge: “The Met has been steadily regaining the trust of Londoners, but we are under no illusions about the continued challenge we face.”
He emphasised that the force’s leadership “has been very clear that it will not tolerate behaviour that fails to meet the organisation’s standards of professionalism and integrity.”
Wider implications for Met reform
The fresh scandal raises serious questions about the effectiveness of reforms implemented since Sir Mark Rowley took over as Commissioner in July 2022, following Dame Cressida Dick’s resignation.
Sir Mark had vowed to improve recruitment, conduct and discipline in the force, launching initiatives to restore public trust and root out officers who fail to meet professional standards. The Met has dismissed hundreds of officers for misconduct and removed others after vetting reviews.
Despite these efforts, the emergence of new allegations at the same station that sparked the 2022 crisis suggests deep-rooted cultural problems persist within certain units of Britain’s largest police force.
Investigation timeline unclear
The IOPC said its investigation is in the early stages, with investigators planning to review recordings obtained by the BBC reporter alongside other evidence gathered through the Met’s internal investigation.
“We asked the IOPC to look at this and welcome their decision to take on the investigation,” Mr Twist said, signalling the Met’s cooperation with the independent inquiry.
The timeline for the investigation remains unclear, though the 2022 Charing Cross probe took several years from initiation to the publication of findings. Given the public interest and the station’s troubled history, pressure will mount for swift action and transparency.
As London’s police force grapples with yet another misconduct crisis at one of its most prominent stations, the challenge of restoring public trust appears more daunting than ever. The fact that such behaviour allegedly continued despite previous scandals and supposed reforms will undoubtedly fuel calls for more radical changes to police culture and accountability.
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