West Midlands Police 'horrified' at Met officers' behaviour - chief constable
The behaviour of some officers in London has left police in the West Midlands horrified, the region's most senior police chief has said.
Sir David Thompson said the public were right to be shocked by incidents such as Sarah Everard's murder and the behaviour of officers who photographed murder victims' bodies and shared the images on WhatsApp.
Writing in his blog, the chief constable said there was a need to create a strong culture that eliminates bias, discrimination, racism and misogyny from the police.
He also highlighted the challenges faced by police officers in a world where it is "increasingly impossible to satisfy everyone".
Addressing recent scandals in the Metropolitan Police, Sir David said revelations about discriminatory WhatsApp messages and the treatment of murder victims Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry was appalling.
He said: "These cases frighten us all as they show the graphic thoughts of those to whom we entrust our safety.
"Horrifyingly, these deplorable people appeared to find like-minded souls in a service that stands for justice and law.
"Cases where officers have exploited their position for sexual gain are far too frequent and the Couzens case is beyond words.
"Be under no illusion, we are a service horrified by the events we have seen. The public are right to be shocked."
Sir David, who is leaving his post after the Commonwealth Games this summer, also highlighted the need to support officers who are regularly forced to deal with upsetting crimes.
He said: "For the police, trauma is an everyday feature of life, as a few weeks ago when West Midlands officers gave CPR to a child who was fatally injured in a stabbing.
"Violence, threats, intimidation and horrifying sights are a regular feature of policing in our towns and cities.
"The police, unlike the military, are constantly on operations and whilst the main are spared the acute danger soldiers face they are subject to sustained trauma."
He also said it had been left to the police to "bear the brunt" of public anger regarding lockdowns despite being given less time to engage with the public due to the huge workloads facing officers.
He said: "After years of reductions in budgets extra officers are coming through the government’s investment.
"However, the service has been running on hot for some time with huge workloads for officers and little time for engagement with the public valued by communities and essential to keep police perspectives in balance.
"Policing’s mission is wider than ever and people’s view on what the police should do and how they do it is unique amongst public services in all quarters. It is increasingly impossible to satisfy everyone.
"The police are also the only emergency service who did not receive a pay rise this year.
"This is despite bearing the brunt of public anger for the extraordinary restrictions necessary to tackle this pandemic and the volatile society that has emerged from our lockdowns."
