he new head of the metropolitan police said people will be removed from the force for “horrific acts” during his tenure, after a BBC investigation alleged a former officer posted racist content on WhatsApp.
Meet Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowleywho started his new job during the official mourning period for Queen Elizabeth the Second said last month there are a number of things that can be done to be “assertive” in identifying people in the force who are problematic.
Sir Mark said the Met has let the public down, as well as good officers who “have not seen the toughness and determination of leaders to figure it out”.
Sir Mark said on BBC Newsnight: “I’m going to change that. So we rebuild our integrity by first getting rid of the people who undermine it.
“Secondly, we also work with communities.
“There is a long journey ahead, but I have so many wonderful men and women. I know we will bounce back.”
When asked if officers will be removed from the force in 100 days, Sir Mark replied: “You will see my term of office being respected, you will see more people being removed from the force for these heinous acts, because we are going around the stones.”
He said this will include vetting, adding: “There is a whole host of things we can do to be more assertive in identifying those who are causing us trouble, while at the same time strengthening community police and rethinking how we deal with it.” communities work to address the issues that matter to them.”
Sir Mark’s interview comes after the Met arrested a man in his 60s on suspicion of violations under the Communications Act and misconduct in a public office.
Police said the arrest followed reports from the BBC.
Newsnight reported racist messages in a WhatsApp group used by former Met police officers.
Sir Mark has previously said he wants to show the public that progress has been made in key areas in 100 days, and that he wants to reach the power of some form of special measures in 12 to 18 months.
The former Assistant Commissioner of the Met rejoined his old army during one of the most turbulent times in its history.
The Met has been horrified by a series of scandals and missteps, most shockingly the murder of Sarah Everard by an on-duty officer, as well as a number of groups of officers found to have exchanged deeply abusive messages on social media.
Sir Mark’s Predecessor Dame Cressida Dick resigned earlier in the year after a collision with mayor of London Sadiq Khan.