Catching more crooks than it employs

The 150 Metropolitan Police officers "investigated over sexual misconduct or racism" relates to officers barred from public-facing roles. Also in the article: 

• 230 officers are being investigated over sexual assault allegations 
• 556 officers are being investigated over racism allegations

There are over 40,000 police officers and staff in the Met, so the number being investigated is a tiny proportion. One per cent perhaps.

Given the systemic problems of misogyny and racism in the Met, it is important not to fall for the 'few bad apples' line.

Investigations into racist, misogynist and other appalling behaviour are needed. The problems in the Met are also much bigger than a few wrong 'uns.

Sir Robert Mark, Commissioner of the Met in the 1970s, remarked that "a good police force is one that catches more crooks than it employs", which, when you think about it, sets a pretty low bar.

Whether we're talking about racist cops, misogynist cops, or corrupt cops, I'm unsure how much has changed in the Met in the years since Mark's observation.

What I do know is that you can't investigate and discipline your way to a functioning, fair and accountable police force.

Alongside investigations into individual officers, institutional transformation and genuine democratic accountability are needed in the Met, and in all UK police forces.