Paul Stephenson

Just in July, two plain clothed officers carried out a search in that hot bed of terrorism, Woolwich, SE London and managed to find the behaviour of a six year old girl, her neighbour a girl aged eleven and that girls father, who were walking to a bus stop, as sufficiently dubious that they were stopped and searched using Section 44.

The IPCC are managing the investigation of  the complaint, the Metropolitan police are not yet convinced this event really happened at all, despite the fact that the man was asked to stand in front of a CCTV camera to have his photograph taken and one of the officers also took his photograph, as well as seizing mobile phone, USB and CD from the man. The complaint also surrounds the property which the man has no idea when it will be returned and was provided with no information about who to contact to do so.

The girls were questioned and searched under the same powers.

The Metropolitan Police are a dangerous out of control death squad. Their propensity to murdering innocent people is widely known. Allegations and investigations are being undertaken of police officers in the Met torturing suspects and they continue to abuse their powers.

This is a police force which must be broken up completely. After decades of so called reform and PR speak, they continue to operate outside the law. The history of the corruption of the flying squad in the ’60s, endemic racism in the ’70s and ’80s. Murder in the ’90s and ’00s is the legacy of the Metropolitan Police.

On Friday 24th July 2009 Matthew Washington, a former Detective Constable who was in the Anti-Terrorist Branch has been found guilty of misfeance in public office. During the course of a year, he spent the best part of £20 000 on the Corporate Amex card, including about £600 while at Euro Disney and £82.96 in Harmony an adult shop in Soho. (What is it about public money and porn?)

He has paid back £12 500 and is due for sentencing on 3rd September 2009.

A one off, would be something tolerable, but unfortunately the IPCC are undertaking a significant investigation in to misuse of Credit Cards by Police Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service. There have been a total of 50 referals made to the IPCC and Auditors continue with their checks on the expenditure on 3 500 cards in use since 2006.

The investigations are being managed by IPCC Senior Investigator, Simon Cousins, and overseen by IPCC Commissioner Deborah Glass.

Former Sergeant John Gallagher, received an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty. He admitted misusing £9,622 on the card but has since repaid it in full. In addition to the suspended sentence, he was ordered to undergo treatment for alcoholism.

Former Sergeant Richard De Cadenet received ten months in prison after pleading guilty to spending over £70,000 on his police-issued credit card.

Detective Constable Christopher Fernley, was charged with three counts of false accounting and is awaiting trial.

Another Officer, who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions, was charged with misconduct in public office and is due to appear before Southwark Crown Court on 21 August 2009.

Fourteen officers have received written warnings.

Twenty-five cases additional cases are currently being investigated.

Martin Baker, Chief Constable of Dorset has completed an investigation into the possible misuse of corporate credit cards by one senior MPS officer. The Metropolitan Police Authority has announced that the authority’s professional standards cases sub-committee was satisfied that no action was required.

An investigation into the second senior MPS officer is on-going.

The amounts involved in the cases which are still being investigated range to a maximum of about £15000.

Metropolitan Police area map

The Metropolitan Police Service employs 31,000 officers, 14,000 police staff, 414 traffic wardens and 4,000 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) as well as being supported by over 2,500 volunteer police officers in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary (MSC) and its Employer Supported Policing (ESP) programme.

The Metropolitan Police Services covers an area of 620 square miles and a population of 7.2 million.

The organisational structure of The Met

Territorial Policing: London’s local police
Most of the day-to-day policing of London is the responsibility of 33 borough operational command units (BOCUs).

Specialist Crime Directorate
In addition to policing London’s streets, the Met has various specialist units dedicated to reducing all aspects of serious and specialist crime.

Specialist Operations
The Met has various specialist units that work across the capital or which fulfill a national role.

They deal with tasks such as intelligence, security, protection of politicians, embassies and royalty, and the investigation of certain categories of serious crimes, including racial and violent crime and terrorism.
Central Operations
Central Operations consists of a number of specialist units that provide a broad range of policing functions. These units effectively provide an integrated, collaborative and community focussed service to London.

Administration and support
An organisation the size of the Metropolitan Police Service could not function without various management, administration and support functions.

Some functions, such as vehicle maintenance and aspects of information technology and telecommunications, have been contracted out to the private sector.

Other London police forces
The Met works in conjunction with neighbouring forces but has particularly close relationships with the other forces that police in London:

The British Transport Police, who are responsible for policing on the rail and tube systems;

The City of London Police, who cover the area within the boundaries of the Corporation of London;

In addition, The Met works in conjunction with the other emergency services:
The London Fire Brigade
The London Ambulance Service
The London Emergency Services Liaison Panel

If you are in the Metropolitan Region and would like to contribute to this site please contact: tim @ yourpoliceforce.com