Inappropriate photographs taken at crime scene – Metropolitan Police Service, June 2020

Metropolitan Police Service · Ref: 2020/138174 and 2020/139739

Recommendation date: 20 January 2022

Response due: 17 March 2022

Published: 8 July 2022

Corruption and abuse of power Welfare and vulnerable people

In June 2020, we conducted a criminal investigation into serious allegations of misconduct in a public office following a referral from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). Our investigation related to the conduct of MPS officers who were placed as scene guards on the cordon of a homicide crime scene in Wembley. It was alleged that inappropriate photographs were taken and were subsequently shared with others. One officer took four photographs on his personal mobile phone while he was positioned on the cordon. In the early hours of the morning, he sent five photographs, one a duplicate, to another officer, who then used a mobile app to superimpose his face onto of one of the photographs which showed the murdered victims in the background. One officer shared a photograph he had taken at the crime scene, which did not show the victims, with a WhatsApp group consisting of 42 colleagues. He …

View on IOPC website

Recommendations (2)

Recommendation 1 Accepted

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends the Metropolitan Police Service take steps to ensure all officers within Forest Gate Police Station conform to the expectations of their behaviour under the Code of Ethics, whilst on and off duty, and are aware that failure … Read more

Force Response

Accepted action: The Metropolitan Police Service (“MPS”) has reviewed the information provided by the IOPC and accepts the recommendation. In relation to this specific recommendation, the North East Emergency Response Police Team Senior Leadership Team (NE ERPT SLT) and the … Read more

Recommendation 2 Accepted

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends the Metropolitan Police Service reviews whether supervisors and senior management at Forest Gate Police Station are taking personal responsibility to identify and eliminate patterns of inappropriate behaviour, whilst simultaneously promoting a safe and open culture which makes … Read more

Force Response

Accepted action: The Metropolitan Police Service (“MPS”) has reviewed the information provided by the IOPC and accepts the recommendation. The MPS North East Area Senior Leadership Team (NE SLT) has completed the following actions across the Basic Command Unit (BCU) … Read moreAccepted action: The Metropolitan Police Service (“MPS”) has reviewed the information provided by the IOPC and accepts the recommendation. The MPS North East Area Senior Leadership Team (NE SLT) has completed the following actions across the Basic Command Unit (BCU) and not just at Forest Gate: When North East Area’s Emergency Response Policing Team (ERPT) Chief Inspectors attend the ‘Meet and Greet’ with new officers joining the BCU, they now specifically talk about social media and the risks associated with the use of it. The BCU based Police Federation Sergeant also attends to provide their perspective, dispel any myths and remind officers of the Code of Ethics (simple dos and don’ts). They also attend ERPT ‘parades’ (officers briefings prior to a tour of duty) to provide the same message. The position is clear around the professional standards set by the ERPT SLT and that expectations are high, so that they are under no illusion when they reach ERPT. NE SLT remain satisfied that the message has been understood as incidents or concerns are now raised to the appropriate person in a timely manner. NE SLT remain satisfied that officers are clear on the expectations set by not only the BCU but the wider organisation. This message will be reiterated as we recruit from a younger cohort who need to understand the difference between what is socially and professionally acceptable. NE SLT believe we now have mechanisms in place to achieve this. With regard to local investigation and safeguarding officers and staff, their respective SLT members have been delivering messages regarding the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Behaviour via email briefings to them and in person at the regular Detective Inspectors’ meetings. Particular emphasis has been placed on the current MPS guidance about the use of WhatsApp and other messaging platforms including Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) considerations. Supervisors who are part of messaging groups have been encouraged to treat the groups with the same considerations as if they were sending formal emails, making sure that values are respected. Staff have been reminded of their duty to challenge inappropriate behaviour, either personally or via Supervisors, and the provision of the Right Line where they can report incidents of wrongdoing or crime by police officers or police staff. In addition to the specific work undertaken at North Area Basic Command Unit the MPS Rebuilding Trust Plans set out 20 priorities to rebuild trust across three themes; raising standards, improving our culture and doing our job well. We have made significant progress on the priorities we set out including: In November 2021, we made an immediate investment of additional officers and staff into our Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) to strengthen our capability and to do more to prevent and identify the abuse of trust by our people. Our investment in this area has continued, and in January 2022 the MPS launched its new DASO Unit (Domestic Abuse and Sexual Offences Unit) which is a new dedicated team focused on the investigation of allegations of sexual misconduct and domestic abuse. The DASO Unit, part of the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS), consists of a team of officers who are experienced in and receive specialist training in matters linked to sexual misconduct, and who provide a robust response to both public complaints and internal reports of police perpetrated domestic abuse and sexual misconduct. Our internal reviews of current and historic allegations of sexual misconduct and domestic abuse are being finalised and an insights report is being developed to capture any identified organisational learning. In December 2021, we launched Operation Signa – an internal programme led by the MPS Network of Women to ensure our people actively intervene and challenge inappropriate behaviours. Operation Signa is based on months of research and is linked into the National Police Chief Council Sexual Harassment Working Group. It provides a recording a tool for people to report sexual harassment, sexism and other demeaning behaviours. In addition, the Commissioner set out a number of new commitments in a letter to the Mayor of London during February 2022. This includes a commitment that the Deputy Commissioner will personally brief all 733 recently promoted sergeants, reiterating our expectations of them in their key leadership role to promote and maintain the highest of standards. As part of our work to rebuild trust the Commissioner also appointed Baroness Casey of Blackstock to lead an independent review into the MPS culture and professional standards. This review began earlier this year and we expect that it will take between 9-12 months to complete. The terms of reference for this review include: Show less