The Met Police is in the “last chance saloon” and rife with racism, sexism and homophobia, according to a new report set to be published next week.
Baroness Louise Casey was tasked with leading an independent review in 2021 into the force following the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard and other “troubling incidents”.
Her report is set to be published next Tuesday and, according to reports, its contents is described as “horrible and atrocious”.
A source told the Guardian the Met Police is in the “last chance saloon.”
A spokesman for the Met said: "We are aware of media reporting on the imminent publication of the report by Baroness Casey of Blackstock into the culture and standards of the Metropolitan Police.
"The report will play an important role in informing and shaping our work to deliver More Trust, Less Crime and High Standards.
"It will be published next week which will be the appropriate point for us to respond in further detail."
Whitehall sources say the final draft has been sent to the Government and the Met, sparking crisis talks between Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.
Dominic Raab, speaking to Sky News, promised a "no-holds barred review"
The Justice Secretary added: "I'm not going to get ahead of the Casey report but we want a no-holds barred review. We want to look at this as critically as we possibly can.
"I know Commissioner Rowley, who I know well, who was chief constable of Surrey Police before becoming a Met Commissioner, he is already conducting a range of checks, for example vetting and existing checks. So we will embrace and engage with any of those findings because we want to get this right.
"We want to be proud of our police forces. I think the vast majority of police officers do an incredible job but clearly these terrible things that have happened must be addressed and people must be able to have confidence.
"We want women across this country to know that the law enforcement authorities right across the board are on their side, working for them and protecting them and not posing a threat to them."
Announcing the review, the Met said in 2021: “Recognising the grave levels of public concern following the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met officer and other deeply troubling incidents, the Metropolitan Police Service appointed Baroness Louise Casey to lead an independent review of its culture and standards of behaviour.
“The review began in February 2022. It expects to finish its work by March 2023, when the final report and recommendations will be published.
“The review will find out whether the Met’s leadership, recruitment, vetting, training, culture and communications support the standards the public should expect.
“It will also recommend how high standards can be routinely met, and how high levels of public trust in the Met can be restored and maintained.”
In a letter to Sir Mark last October, Baroness Casey highlighted eight areas of concern, including that the Met takes too long to resolve misconduct cases, officers and staff do not believe action will be taken when concerns around conduct are raised and there is a racial disparity throughout the Met’s misconduct system.
Earlier this year is was revealed more than a thousand serving Metropolitant Police officers and staff have been accused of sex offences or domestic abuse in the past 10 years.
The cases are now subject to an urgent review after it emerged that serial rapist David Carrick, 48, was allowed to remain in the Met despite being accused of rape, assault, harassment, domestic abuse and burglary.
A total of 1,633 cases involving 1,071 officers and staff are being examined to ensure appropriate decisions were made.
The force said yesterday the allegations range from arguments to rape – and many of those involved continue to serve without restrictions. In each case, the individual has not been charged or subject to a misconduct hearing.
Baroness Casey said many claims of sexual misconduct, misogyny, racism and homophobia were mishandled, revealing 1,263 officers are still serving despite multiple misconduct complaints.
Only 13 of 1,809 officers and staff with more than one case against them had been sacked since 2013, her dossier revealed, while the most complaints against a single officer was 19.
She said: “The Met’s misconduct system is not fit for purpose.”
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said he believes hundreds of corrupt officers are serving within the Met and should be sacked.
