MORRIS REPORT SHOWS THAT WITHOUT REFORM MET CANNOT POLICE LONDON EFFECTIVELY

1.29.31pm GMT Tue 14th Dec 2004

Commenting on the Morris Inquiry report published today, Liberal Democrat London Assembly policing Spokesman and Member of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), Graham Tope, said:-

"The Morris Report shows the price of continuing with current practice on handling complaints is too high. It has institutionalised discrimination against ethnic minority officers, resulted in expensive witch-hunts and undermined the integrity of the Met.

"The Met must now truly embrace diversity and drag its culture, structures and composition into the 21st century, or it will face rising dissatisfaction and resentment within the force. With low morale, how can we expect London's officers to police our city effectively and fairly?

"Until the Met undertakes root and branch reform to ensure that it both mirrors the community it polices and treats all its staff equally - women, lesbians and gays, as well as those with ethnic minority backgrounds - it cannot expect to have the full confidence of its own officers, let alone the wider public.

"The Met seems almost incapable of reforming itself, with lessons from the past not being learnt. With the new leadership coming in place next year, now is the perfect time to correct previous mistakes.

"Urgent consideration must be given to the recommendation to strengthen the management of the Met by introducing a dedicated senior management post to support the role of the Commissioner."

ENDS