Deputy mayor to ‘scrutinise’ corruption in Met police
Boris Johnson's deputy mayor for policing is to launch an investigation into corruption in the Met.
Kit Malthouse, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, said he would "formally scrutinise" the anti-corruption systems within the force.
The move comes after Tim Godwin, the Met's deputy commissioner, admitted there would always be "rotten apples" within the police.
The force is investigating Enfield crime squad over allegations involving theft from property stores. A source said: "The Met is aware of a big corruption scandal within its own ranks and is going to come down on it like a ton of bricks."
But an MPA source denied the inquiry was in response to any particular case. Mr Malthouse is understood to be happy with the Met's 500-strong anti-corruption squad — dubbed the "Ghost Squad" or the "Sherlock Holmes team". But he has concerns over the internal structures in place to prevent corruption. Officials could investigate access to highly sensitive police computer systems and how seized property is recorded and stored.
A senior MPA source said: "We're very good on the Sherlock Holmes' side but we don't know if there are sufficiently robust internal structures to deter and detect and stop corruption happening in the first place.
"It's one area which is obviously critical in terms of police performance. It's not necessarily in response to any particular issues but it's obviously something the public are concerned about."
The inquiry is expected to begin this year and take three to four months to complete and make recommendations.
An MPA spokeswoman said: "The exact details have yet to be agreed but it will establish evidence that the Met has structures in place both to tackle corruption and to discourage corrupt practices from developing."
Mr Godwin has revealed that 40 per cent of the Met's corruption cases came from criminals approaching officers and staff to try to access police databases. He told MPs: "When you have an organisation that totals 55,000 people, there will always be rotten apples. There will be people who, for whatever reason, succumb to behaviour which is criminal.
"We have a dedicated command purely there to hunt them out. We have 26 convictions in the last 12 to 18 months and it is that sort of level we are operating at."
Ten officers from Enfield are being investigated over a allegations involving theft from property stores. The claims centre around flat-screen TVs and other electrical goods which went missing after being seized from criminals.
Six of these officers are also being investigated over allegations of so-called "waterboarding" when suspects arrested in a drugs raid reportedly had their heads ducked in water. Seven officers have been suspended and three placed on restricted duties.
MPA member Jenny Jones said: "Corruption is a disease that the Met is never quite clear of. If you give an organisation so many extra powers, it's inevitable that some will abuse them and it's a condition that needs constant doctoring."
Mr Malthouse was understood to be setting out his plans to the MPA today.
