In the wake of a series of misconduct scandals, settlement payments by London's Metropolitan Police ("the Met") have more than doubled in 2023-24, reaching £7.6 million, as reported by the Financial Times.
This increase comes as the Met has resolved 239 civil cases involving allegations of officer misconduct, including excessive force, false evidence, racial profiling, and breaches of human rights. The rise in settlements follows heightened scrutiny after a 2023 independent review deemed the force "institutionally racist, misogynistic, and homophobic." Since 2019-20, the Met has paid over £19 million in civil claims, with payments increasing annually.
Legal experts attribute the rise in claims to increased public awareness and body camera footage revealing misconduct. "There has been a tipping point in recent years, with many victims who previously would not have brought claims forward now feeling able to do so," said Carolynn Gallwey, a partner at Bhatt Murphy Solicitors.
The Met's historical reluctance to settle cases early has led to higher legal costs. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley pledged to do "everything ... humanly possible" to implement recommendations from the independent review, aiming to address widespread misconduct within the force. Over 1,000 officers have had their duties suspended or restricted as part of these reforms.
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