In September 2022, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published a highly critical report of the Metropolitan Police, after putting the force into a form of special measures.
The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee launched an investigation into the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), ten years on from its creation, to look at how effectively it delivers its functions.
MOPAC, responsible for oversight of the Met, told the Committee that the reasons for HMICFRS’ decision “have not come as a surprise” to officials and accepted that it needed to be more proactive than reactive.
The Committee is concerned that this suggests MOPAC is aware of issues in the Met but is not able to effectively confront them before they reach crisis point.
Because of this, the Committee is today calling for regular updates from MOPAC on how it is supporting the Met. It has written to the Mayor with six recommendations for action, including:
- MOPAC should provide quarterly updates to the Committee on how it is supporting the Met to address the failings identified by HMICFRS and to exit the Engage process.
- MOPAC should provide quarterly briefings to the Police and Crime Committee detailing current issues it has flagged as part of its proactive oversight of the Met, and what action is underway to address them.
Chairman of the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee, Susan Hall AM, said:
“Being put into special measures is another damaging moment for the Met after months of shocking scandals that have engulfed the force and brought trust among Londoners to a low.
“We agree that this was the right decision given the serious concerns about the Met, but it should have been a clear sign to MOPAC that it needs to take a hard look at how it oversees issues within the force.
“We believe that City Hall oversight of the Met should be more proactive than reactive, which is why we are asking for more updates from MOPAC on how it is supporting the force during this difficult time.”
MOPAC letter to Mayor
Notes to editors
- The letter is attached.
- Susan Hall AM, Chairman of the Police and Crime Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Police and Crime Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.