Met Police officer lighting a candle at a vigil for Sarah Everard. Credit: Getty Images
Share your views and hear about the future of policing in Hammersmith & Fulham.
Join us as we examine the conclusions of the Baroness Louise Casey’s independent review of the culture and standards of behaviour in the Metropolitan Police.
A special meeting of H&F’s Social Inclusion and Community Safety Policy and Accountability Committee (PAC) will be held on Wednesday 26 July, 7pm. Please join us in person or online, agenda and details here.
Chaired by Cllr Nikos Souslous, next week’s public forum will host a number of community organisations to discuss this high-profile report. Also attending will be Met Police Superintendent for H&F Craig Knight, Met Police Chief Inspector Tom Orchard and Met Police Constable Alice MacAulay.
Review
The Casey report found that the Met is institutionally racist, sexist and homophobic and has failed to protect the public from officers who abuse women, that organisational changes have put women and children at greater risk and that female officers and staff routinely experience sexism.
The report said there are racist officers and staff and a “deep-seated homophobia” exists in the organisation and that violence against women and girls has not been taken as seriously as other forms of violence.
It also found that there is widespread bullying in the Met, with a fifth of staff with protected characteristics – for example, race, sexuality or disability – being targeted.
Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, has said the organisation fully accepts “the diagnosis of the report” and is “determined to deliver the transformation required”.
Public forum
H&F is determined to work with residents and the Met Police to help bring about all the necessary changes.
“Londoners have a right to expect a Met Police force which shares the best of our values, understands, celebrates and reflects our city’s diversity, and treats everyone fairly,” said H&F Leader Cllr Stephen Cowan following the publication of the report earlier this year.
“And Londoners deserve a Met Police service they can trust to crack down on crime and always protect them no matter who they are.”
Join us for next week’s PAC:
Date and time: Wednesday 26 July, 7pm
Location: 3 Shortlands W6 8DA, Main Hall (1st floor)
Online access: Watch the meeting on YouTube
It’s one of several H&F committees that that gives residents a platform to influence how the council works, scrutinise decisions and help develop new council polices.
To find out more, visit our scrutiny webpage.
Want to read more news stories like this? Subscribe to our weekly e-news bulletin.
