Nic Brunetti – Police Oracle

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has warned that he will not stand for racism as investigations continued into the behaviour of some officers during the August riots.

While he did not comment on ongoing IPCC probes into separate complaints of assault and racist language, Bernard Hogan-Howe said he had been shocked by the reports.

He said that officers had a duty to “challenge and report” any incident in which they felt behaviour fell below the high standards demanded by the Force.

Addressing his officers during an internal broadcast, he said: “I want to speak to you about one subject.

“I’m sure that you’ve all been as shocked as I have been about the reports of apparent racist remarks and alleged assault by some officers in Newham.

“I wanted to take this opportunity to clearly and categorically reiterate that there is no place for racism in the Met.

“I know that the Met has changed greatly over the years, and most of you have directly been involved in improving our relationship with all Londoners and those who visit us.

“Unfortunately just one alleged incident like this can be very damaging to public confidence.”

Commissioner Hogan-Howe said that the Metropolitan Police is a great organisation – and he called on officers to remind communities of their professionalism.

The Commissioner added: “What we have heard over the last few days is of course completely at odds with all the close work that goes on with communities across London every day. We work hard to forge strong relationships with people who can advise us and rightly hold us to account.

“I want us all to go out there and remind those communities of our commitment to fairness and professionalism. We have a duty to challenge or report behaviour by colleagues which is less than the high standard demanded by the service and Londoners. You cannot avoid that duty, and nor can I.

“I will not stand for any racism or racists in the Met.”