Nearly 600 police officers in England and Wales were dismissed in the year leading up to March 2024, with a significant rise from the previous year’s 394 dismissals. This wave of sackings reflects efforts to rebuild public trust after several high-profile scandals.
Among those dismissed, 74 officers were removed for sexual offenses and misconduct, while 18 others faced dismissal for possessing indecent images of children, as reported by the College of Policing, an independent organization.
The trust in UK policing has been shaken in recent years, particularly after a serving Metropolitan Police officer’s horrific crimes in 2021, involving the kidnap, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard, for which he received a life sentence. Additionally, another officer from the same force received 36 life sentences in 2022 for an appalling series of 71 sexual offenses, impacting 12 women.
Dishonesty led the list of reasons for dismissal with 125 cases, followed closely by 71 dismissals for discriminatory behavior. Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding of the College of Policing expressed disappointment over these violations, stressing that they fall “far below” the standards the public expects. However, he emphasized that these dismissals reflect strong, effective protocols for identifying and removing unfit officers swiftly.
The Metropolitan Police disclosed in January 2023 that over 1,000 officers were under investigation for domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, highlighting the critical need for accountability. With over 147,000 officers across 43 forces, England and Wales are working to restore confidence and integrity within the police force.
