Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

There is not another Wayne Couzens or David Carrick in Met, police chief says

Mr Marsh highlighted that the Met Police has the largest proportion of gay officers out of the 43 police forces.

Jacob Phillips
Tuesday 21 March 2023 00:01 GMT
Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh (Metropolitan Police Federation)
Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh (Metropolitan Police Federation) (PA Media)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation said he does not believe there is another Wayne Couzens or David Carrick in the force, despite Baroness Louise Casey’s damning review.

Ken Marsh hit back after Baroness Casey’s report accused the Met Police of being institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic.

There are racist officers and staff and a “deep-seated homophobia” exists in the organisation, it found.

The report also said Metropolitan Police has failed to protect the public from officers who abuse women, organisational changes have put women and children at greater risk and female officers and staff routinely experience sexism.

But Mr Marsh – who heads the organisation which represents thousands of officers from the rank of constable to chief inspector – said the report will just dishearten police officers, further adding that officers are already “on their knees”.

He told the PA news agency: “I think it is a bit disingenuous to say there could be another David Carrick or Wayne Couzens in the Met Police.

“I don’t think we will see another person like that in the police.”

Mr Marsh added: “We absolutely accept the findings but we have to be a little bit careful here.

“Are we saying every Met Police officer is racist and homophobic? That is quite dangerous.”

He said: “Met colleagues are on their knees. We have a broken force, they are just leaving in their droves.

“It is quite scary what we are creating here. The punishing of police just does not stop. The new commissioner has made a vow to change what is going on and is changing what is going on.

“Trust me when I tell you that we have had seven to eight months of change.”

He added: “Without police you don’t have society. You have a lawless society.

“I will stand up for the hundreds of colleagues who don’t behave this way and find it abhorrent that they are accused. They have not done anything wrong.”

Mr Marsh highlighted that the Met Police has the largest proportion of gay officers out of the 43 police forces.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in