In September 2016 the Equality and Human Rights Commission published the findings of their investigation into how the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) managed internal complaints of discrimination. While the Commission found no evidence that the MPS had committed unlawful acts, a number of recommendations were made and the MPS agreed to an improvement plan which would be monitored by the Commission.
Since the Commission's investigation was initiated, the MPS has delivered a significant number of improvements. This has included introducing new policies, creating dedicated teams of specialists to respond to internal complaints of discrimination, launching a telephone helpline for staff and managers, training locally based mediators and grievance resolution champions, and implementing a new performance scorecard to measure success. The MPS is also investing in improvements to the way it records internal discrimination complaints so that it is better able to identify victimisation and has increased sanctions for those who are found to have victimised a colleague.
Over the next few months the MPS and the Commission will jointly work with the Home Office to look at ways in which regulatory guidance can be improved to help forces manage grievances and misconduct cases relating to discrimination.
The Commission is encouraged by the changes the MPS is putting in place. The MPS is committed to ensuring that all staff are treated fairly and have confidence that concerns will be taken seriously and dealt with proportionally and professionally.
Cressida Dick, Commissioner of Metropolitan Police Service, said: