Metropolitan Police#Staff and PCSOs

{{Main|History of the Metropolitan Police}}

The Metropolitan Police Service was founded in 1829 by Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel under the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 and on 29 September of that year, the first constables of the service appeared on the streets of London.{{cite news |url=http://www.onthisday.com/day/september/29 |title=September 29: On This Day in History |work=OnThisDay.com |access-date=28 September 2017 |language=en |archive-date=28 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928150704/http://www.onthisday.com/day/september/29 |url-status=live }} Ten years later, Metropolitan Police Act 1839 consolidated policing within London by expanding the Metropolitan Police District and either abolishing or amalgamating the various other law enforcement entities within London into the Metropolitan Police such as the Thames River Police and the Bow Street Runners.{{Cite book|last=Britain|first=Great|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VKRFAAAAcAAJ&q=police&pg=PA270|title=The Statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|date=1841|publisher=Eyre and Strahan|language=en|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815151907/https://books.google.com/books?id=VKRFAAAAcAAJ&q=police&pg=PA270|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thamespolicemuseum.org.uk/h_police_3.html|title=Thames Police – History Page|website=www.thamespolicemuseum.org.uk|access-date=14 March 2017|archive-date=5 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005164252/http://www.thamespolicemuseum.org.uk/h_police_3.html|url-status=live}}

Since January 2012, the Mayor of London is responsible for the governance of the Metropolitan Police through the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC).{{Cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk//what-we-do/mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mopac/about-mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mopac/mayor-mopac|title=The Mayor at MOPAC|date=15 April 2015|website=London City Hall|language=en|access-date=7 April 2019|archive-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407031026/https://www.london.gov.uk//what-we-do/mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mopac/about-mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mopac/mayor-mopac|url-status=live}} The mayor is able to appoint someone to act on his behalf. {{As of|2024|11}}, the office-holder is the deputy mayor for policing and crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz.{{Cite web |title=Kaya Comer-Schwartz {{!}} London City Hall |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-mayor-does/mayor-and-his-team/kaya-comer-schwartz |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=www.london.gov.uk |language=en-gb}} The work of MOPAC is scrutinised by the Police and Crime Committee (also known as a police and crime panel) of the London Assembly. These structures were created by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and replaced the Metropolitan Police Authority-appointed board created in 2000 by Greater London Authority Act 1999.

Before 2000, the Metropolitan Police was under the authority of the Home Secretary, the only British territorial police force to be administered by central government. The Metropolitan Police Office (MPO), although based at Scotland Yard, was a department of the Home Office created in 1829 and was responsible for the force's day-to-day administration. Under the authority of the receiver, a civilian official who was equivalent in rank to the deputy commissioner and served as the force's chief financial officer, it was headed by a civilian secretary, who was equivalent in rank to the assistant commissioners.Obituary of Sir Richard Jackson, The Times, 18 February 1975

The area policed by the Metropolitan Police Service is known as the Metropolitan Police District (MPD). The Met was divided into 32 Borough Operational Command Units that directly aligned with the 32 London boroughs covered. This situation has changed since 2017, as the Met has attempted to save money due to cuts in funding. The MPD is now divided into 12 Basic Command Units (BCUs) made up of two, three or four boroughs. There is criticism of these changes.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-43033510 |title=Met to merge all policing boroughs |date=12 February 2018 |work=BBC News |access-date=6 October 2018 |language=en-GB |archive-date=6 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006194634/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-43033510 |url-status=live }} The City of London (which is not a London borough) is a separate police area and is the responsibility of the separate City of London Police.

File:New Scotland Yard sign.jpg is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police.]]

The Ministry of Defence Police is responsible for policing of Ministry of Defence property throughout the United Kingdom, including its headquarters in Whitehall and other MoD establishments across the MPD.{{cite web |url=http://www.modpoliceofficers.co.uk |title=Ministry of Defence Police |access-date=28 December 2008 |publisher=MOD |archive-date=5 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105103647/http://modpoliceofficers.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}

The British Transport Police (BTP) are responsible for policing of the rail network in Great Britain, including London. Within London, they are also responsible for the policing of the London Underground, London Trams, the London Cable Car and the Docklands Light Railway.[http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us.aspx About us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127170141/http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us.aspx |date=27 January 2016 }}. Btp.police.uk. Retrieved on 6 December 2013.

The English part of the Royal Parks Constabulary, which patrolled a number of Greater London's major parks, was merged with the Metropolitan Police in 2004, and those parks are now policed by the Royal Parks Operational Command Unit.{{cite web |url=http://www.royalparks.org.uk/about/police.cfm |title=Policing the Royal Parks – keeping you safe in the Royal Parks |publisher=Royalparks.org.uk |date=1 April 2004 |access-date=6 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219220809/http://www.royalparks.org.uk/about/police.cfm |archive-date=19 February 2009 }} There is also a small park police force, the Kew Constabulary, responsible for the Royal Botanic Gardens, whose officers have full police powers within the park. A few local authorities maintain their own borough park constabularies, including Wandsworth Parks and Events Police, Kensington and Chelsea Parks Police, Havering Parks Constabulary and the Hampstead Heath Constabulary. All of these enjoy powers of arrest without warrant as constables;{{Cite web|url = https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/668480/response/1584347/attach/4/P%20EP%20Enforcement%20Policy.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1|title = Parks Police Services – Powers, Statutory Purpose and Use of Stop & Search – a Freedom of Information request to Wandsworth Borough Council|date = 3 June 2020|access-date = 3 December 2020|archive-date = 15 August 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210815072924/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/668480/response/1584347/attach/4/P%20EP%20Enforcement%20Policy.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1|url-status = live}} however, the officers of the last mentioned have full police powers, much like officers of the Metropolitan Police, on the heath, whereas the other parks' police primarily focus on by-law enforcement.

Metropolitan Police officers have legal jurisdiction throughout all of England and Wales, including areas that have their own special police forces, such as the Ministry of Defence, as do all police officers of territorial police forces.{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/16/section/30 |title=Police Act 1996 |website=www.legislation.gov.uk |access-date=10 March 2017 |archive-date=13 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113113752/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/16/section/30 |url-status=live }} Officers also have limited powers in Scotland and Northern Ireland.{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/33/section/137 |title=Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 |website=www.legislation.gov.uk |access-date=10 March 2017 |archive-date=12 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312173140/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/33/section/137 |url-status=live }} Within the MPD, the Met will take over the investigation of any serious crime from the Ministry of Defence Police and to a lesser degree BTP, if it is deemed appropriate. Terrorist incidents and complex murder enquiries will almost always be investigated by the Met,{{cite web |url=http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/corporate-publications-strategy/home-office-circulars/circulars-2008/028-2008/ |title=A protocol between police forces and the Ministry of Defence police – Home Office |website=webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130125102358/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/corporate-publications-strategy/home-office-circulars/circulars-2008/028-2008/ |archive-date=25 January 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.met.police.uk/foi/pdfs/policies/railways_impact.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 March 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312051348/http://www.met.police.uk/foi/pdfs/policies/railways_impact.pdf |archive-date=12 March 2017}} with the assistance of any relevant specialist force, even if they are committed on Ministry of Defence or railway property. A minor incursion into the normal jurisdiction of territorial police officers in England and Wales is that Met officers involved in the protection duties of the Royal Family and other VIPs have full police powers in Scotland and Northern Ireland in connection with those duties.{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/16/section/99 |title=Police Act 1996 |website=www.legislation.gov.uk |access-date=10 March 2017 |archive-date=12 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312173134/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/16/section/99 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Organisation and structure of the Metropolitan Police Service}}

The Metropolitan Police Service is organised into the following directorates:{{cite web|url=https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/senior-management-team/|title=Home – The Met|website=content.met.police.uk|access-date=30 September 2018|archive-date=30 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930231646/https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/senior-management-team/|url-status=dead}}

• Frontline Policing
• Met Operations
• Specialist Operations
• Professionalism
• Shared Support Services (part of Met headquarters)

Each is overseen by an assistant commissioner or, in the case of administrative departments, a director of police staff, which is the equivalent civilian staff grade. The management board is made up of the commissioner, deputy commissioner, assistant commissioners and directors.

{{See also|Police ranks of the United Kingdom}}

File:Very friendly MPS officers in London.jpg. Since 1863, the custodian helmet (middle) has been worn by male police constables and sergeants while on foot patrol.]]

The Metropolitan Police Service uses the standard British police ranks, indicated by epaulettes, up to chief superintendent, but uniquely has five ranks above that level instead of the standard three: commander, deputy assistant commissioner, assistant commissioner, deputy commissioner and commissioner.{{cite web |url=http://www.met.police.uk/about/ranks.htm |title=Badges of Rank |access-date=19 July 2006 |publisher=Metropolitan Police Service |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060718172407/http://www.met.police.uk/about/ranks.htm |archive-date=18 July 2006}} All senior officers of the rank of Commander and above are chief police officers of NPCC (previously ACPO) rank.

The Met approved the use of name badges in October 2003, with new recruits wearing the Velcro badges from September 2004. The badge consists of the wearer's rank, followed by their surname.{{cite web |author=Clerk and Treasurer |url=http://www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/x-cop/2003/031020/04/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220061603/http://www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/x-cop/2003/031020/04/ |archive-date=20 February 2012 |title=Report 4 of the 20 Oct 03 meeting of the Co-ordination and Policing Committee: Introduction of name badges |date=20 October 2003 |publisher=Metropolitan Police Authority |access-date=3 June 2014}} All officers are assigned a unique identification number which includes a two-letter BCU (Basic Command Unit) code.

Following controversy over assaults by uniformed officers with concealed shoulder identification numbers during the G20 summit,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7999277.stm |title=Met suspends G20 footage officer |work=BBC News |date=15 April 2009 |access-date=6 May 2009 |archive-date=8 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908194636/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7999277.stm |url-status=live }} Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said, "the public has a right to be able to identify any uniformed officer whilst performing their duty" by their shoulder identification numbers.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/8000246.stm |title=Police begin G20 tactics review |work=BBC News |date=16 April 2009 |access-date=6 May 2009 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802065639/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/8000246.stm |url-status=live }}

The Met uniformed officer rank structure, with epaulette design, is as follows (from highest to lowest):

{{Met Pol rank insignia}}

The Met also has several active Volunteer Police Cadet units, which maintain their own internal rank structure.{{cite web |url=http://www.met.police.uk/cadets/ |title=Volunteer Police Cadets |access-date=19 July 2006 |publisher=Metropolitan Police Service |archive-date=23 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323124621/https://www.met.police.uk/cadets/ |url-status=dead }} The Metropolitan Special Constabulary is a contingent of part-time volunteer police officers and is attached to most Borough Operational Command Units. The Metropolitan Special Constabulary Ranks are as follows (from lowest to highest):

{{MET Special Rank Insignia}}

The prefix "woman" in front of female officers' ranks has been obsolete since 1999. Members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) up to and including the rank of chief superintendent prefix their ranks with "detective". Detective ranks are equivalent in rank to their uniform counterparts. Other departments, such as Special Branch and Child Protection, award non-detectives "branch detective" status, allowing them to use the "Detective" prefix. None of these detective ranks confer on the holder any extra pay or supervisory authority compared to their uniformed colleagues.

The following is the current released workforce data for the ranks. The chief officers rank covers all senior ranks as well as special constables covering all special constable ranks.

{{British Police Rank Numbers|Title=Metropolitan Police Service workforce

|FPS=5285|FPSV=468|FDO=340|FPCSO=478|FSC=530|FC=7465|FS=956|FI=270|FCI=68|FSup=44|FCSup=12|FCO=8

|MPS=3626|MPSV=257|MDO=390|MPCSO=829|MSC=1330|MC=17329|MS=3526|MI=935|MCI=232|MSup=147|MCSup=45|MCO=26

|Year=2019}}

{{Infobox COA wide

|image = File:Coat_of_Arms_of_the_Metropolitan_Police_Service.svg

|escutcheon = Azure, a portcullis chained within a double tressure flory counterflory Argent.

|crest = On a wreath Argent and Azure, three arrows, one in pale and two in saltire, barbs downward, Proper, banded Azure and ensigned by the Royal Crown proper.

|supporters = On either side a lion rampant guardant Argent, gorged with a collar Azure charged alternately with bezants and bees volant, grasping in the interior paw a column Or.

}}

File:London Police protection 236.jpg

File:Many streets were cut off.jpg on 'mutual aid', at a G20 protest in 2009.]]

File:Armed police officers (London, 2014).jpg gates, 2014]]

The Metropolitan Police Service includes full-time, paid officers known as 'regulars', and part-time, voluntary officers from the Metropolitan Special Constabulary. Both regulars and specials enjoy full police powers, wear the same uniform, and carry the same kit. As elsewhere in the UK, 'regulars' are not employees, but rather Crown servants, and holders of the Office of Constable.

• 1852: 5,625{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w6RbAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA279|title=Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons|last=Commons|first=Great Britain Parliament House of|date=1852|publisher=Ordered to be printed|language=en|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=14 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814120116/https://books.google.com/books?id=w6RbAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA279|url-status=live}}
• 1866: 6,839{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EVBJAAAAYAAJ&q=Judicial+Statistics%2C+England+and+Wales|title=Judicial Statistics, England and Wales|date=1867|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|language=en|access-date=17 November 2020|archive-date=18 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818145040/https://books.google.com/books?id=EVBJAAAAYAAJ&q=Judicial+Statistics%2C+England+and+Wales|url-status=live}}
• 1877: 10,336^{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CfD47IlWXH4C&q=Judicial+Statistics%2C+England+and+Wales&pg=PR35|title=Judicial Statistics, England and Wales: 1877,1 (1878)|last=Commons|first=Great Britain Parliament House of|date=1878|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|language=en|access-date=17 November 2020|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816094122/https://books.google.com/books?id=CfD47IlWXH4C&q=Judicial+Statistics%2C+England+and+Wales&pg=PR35|url-status=live}}
• 1887: 14,191{{Cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1888/mar/02/metropolitan-police-numbers|title=METROPOLITAN POLICE (NUMBERS). (Hansard, 2 March 1888)|website=api.parliament.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=29 May 2018|archive-date=30 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530034934/https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1888/mar/02/metropolitan-police-numbers|url-status=live}}
• 1912: 20,529Raymond B. Fosdick, European Police Systems, 1915. Figures at 31 December 1912, including 33 superintendents, 607 chief inspectors and inspectors, 2,747 sergeants and 17,142 constables.
• 1929: 19,290{{Cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1929-02-25/debates/e9071546-ce7b-4fee-9e9c-5551abe5798f/MetropolitanPolice?highlight=metropolitan%20police%20strength#contribution-84ac8ccc-a606-4074-bf2c-e50b086737f4|title=Metropolitan Police – Hansard|website=hansard.parliament.uk|access-date=13 April 2019|archive-date=7 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207001836/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1929-02-25/debates/e9071546-ce7b-4fee-9e9c-5551abe5798f/MetropolitanPolice?highlight=metropolitan%20police%20strength#contribution-84ac8ccc-a606-4074-bf2c-e50b086737f4|url-status=live}}
• 1938: 18,511
• 1944: 17,976*{{Cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1945-06-05/debates/bd001248-9262-43d6-94da-60fb6bf569b3/MetropolitanPoliceForce?highlight=metropolitan%20police%20strength#contribution-8f9d3fcf-e01c-40d8-8ec4-0af48444af42|title=Metropolitan Police Force – Hansard|website=hansard.parliament.uk|access-date=13 April 2019|archive-date=31 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231180602/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1945-06-05/debates/bd001248-9262-43d6-94da-60fb6bf569b3/MetropolitanPoliceForce?highlight=metropolitan%20police%20strength#contribution-8f9d3fcf-e01c-40d8-8ec4-0af48444af42|url-status=live}}
• 1952: 16,400Report of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis for the Year 1952. Included 35 chief superintendents (including one woman), 12 detective chief superintendents, 62 superintendents (including one woman), 16 detective superintendents, 128 chief inspectors (including five women), 64 detective chief inspectors (including one woman), 20 station inspectors, 465 inspectors (including four women), 140 detective inspectors (including one woman), 441 station sergeants, 202 1st class detective sergeants, 1,834 sergeants (including 32 women), 414 2nd class detective sergeants (including six women), 11,951 constables (including 310 women), and 615 detective constables (including 27 women). The official establishment was 20,045.
• 1965: 18,016The Thin Blue Line, Police Council for Great Britain Staff Side Claim for Undermanning Supplements, 1965
• 1984: 27,000 (approximate)[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960226/text/60226w27.htm Hansard] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922180640/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960226/text/60226w27.htm |date=22 September 2017 }}, 26 February 1996
• 2001: 25,000 (approximate)[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200001/cmhansrd/vo010423/text/10423w32.htm Hansard] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922190647/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200001/cmhansrd/vo010423/text/10423w32.htm |date=22 September 2017 }}, 23 April 2001. London population at the time was 7,172,000.
• 2003: 28,000 (approximate)
• 2004: 31,000 (approximate)[http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=1657 GLA press release] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905020644/http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=1657 |date=5 September 2006 }}, 11 March 2003
• 2009: 32,543 (excluding 2,622 special constables){{cite web|url=http://www.mpa.gov.uk/statistics/annual-police-numbers/ |title=MPS Police officer, staff and PCSO numbers: 31/03/09 |access-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814141530/http://www.mpa.gov.uk/statistics/annual-police-numbers/ |archive-date=14 August 2011 }}
• 2010: 33,260 (excluding 3,125 special constables){{cite web|url=http://www.mpa.gov.uk/statistics/annual-police-numbers/ |title=MPS Police officer, staff and PCSO numbers: 31/03/10 |access-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814141530/http://www.mpa.gov.uk/statistics/annual-police-numbers/ |archive-date=14 August 2011 }}
• 2011: 32,380 (excluding 4,459 special constables){{cite web|url=http://www.mpa.gov.uk/statistics/annual-police-numbers/ |title=MPS Police officer, staff and PCSO numbers: 31/03/11 |access-date=7 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127200533/http://www.mpa.gov.uk/statistics/annual-police-numbers/ |archive-date=27 January 2012 }}
• 2013: 30,398 (excluding 5,303 special constables){{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/223493/police-workforce-tabs-mar13.ods|title=Police Workforce Data, 2013: 13/03/13|access-date=23 May 2015|archive-date=23 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523230648/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/223493/police-workforce-tabs-mar13.ods|url-status=live}}
• 2014: 30,932 (excluding 4,587 special constables){{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/337328/police-workforce-tabs-mar14.ods|title=Police Workforce Data, 2014: 14/03/14|access-date=23 May 2015|archive-date=12 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112123838/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/337328/police-workforce-tabs-mar14.ods|url-status=live}}
• 2015: 31,877
• 2016: 32,125{{cite web|url=http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN00634%2FSN00634.pdf|title=Police Service Strength, House of Commons Library Briefing Paper 00634 23 March 2018: 23/03/18|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911042357/http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN00634/SN00634.pdf|url-status=live}}
• 2017: 30,817
• 2019: 30,980 (excluding 1,749 special constables)
• 2020: 32,766 (excluding 1,874 special constables)
• 2024: 33,972 (excluding 1,296 special constables)
• 2025: 33,201 (excluding 1,127 special constables)

*include temporary constables from war period

^includes 753 officers policing Woolwich Arsenal and Her Majesty's Dockyards in Chatham, Portsmouth, Pembroke, Devonport and Rosyth.

File:Police effect an arrest against a protester whilst a police inspector brandishes his baton.jpg

• Police officers (regular – of all ranks): 33,201{{Cite web |title=About the Met – Structure |url=https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/structure/#:~:text=Here's%20how%20our%20personnel%20are,1%2C385%20Police%20community%20support%20officers}}
• Specially Trained Officers (STO): 7,615{{Cite web |title=Taser Usage in the MPS |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/991823/response/2347415/attach/3/attachment.docx?cookie_passthrough=1 |access-date=16 August 2023 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816185710/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/991823/response/2347415/attach/3/attachment.docx?cookie_passthrough=1 |url-status=live }}
• Police officers (special – of all ranks): 1,127{{Cite web |title=The Structure of the Met |url=https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/structure/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811224245/https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/structure/ |archive-date=11 August 2020 |access-date=2 January 2020}}

The Met's Police Staff are non-warranted civilians. When the Met was formed in 1829 there were only six of them (the Receiver, his two clerks and the three Commissioners' clerks, although the Commissioners were also non-warranted right up until 2011),Norman Fairfax, ''From Quills to Computers - The History of the Metropolitan Police Civil Staff 1829-1979, page 7 but they now include police community support officers (PCSOs{{efn|The Met was the first constabulary to introduce PCSOs in September 2002.{{cn|date=August 2024}}}}), designated detention officers (DDOs), and many other non-officer roles.{{cite web|url=http://www.met.police.uk/careers/pcso/ |title=Metropolitan Police PCSO |publisher=Metropolitan Police |access-date=2 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408130445/http://www.met.police.uk/careers/pcso/ |archive-date=8 April 2010 }} Their numbers are currently:

• Police staff (designated detention officers): 614{{Cite news|title=Police workforce, England and Wales: 30 September 2017|language=en|work=GOV.UK|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-30-september-2017|access-date=29 May 2018|archive-date=13 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113232510/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-30-september-2017|url-status=live}}
• Police staff (other): 9,814{{cite web |title=The Structure of the Met |url=https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/structure/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811224245/https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/structure/ |archive-date=11 August 2020 |access-date=15 February 2020}}

File:Anti-Lock Down Protest London (51137274958).jpg

File:MPHVC vehicles at LTM Depot (24063551797).jpg traffic car in the Metropolitan Police's 'jam sandwich' livery first introduced in 1978]]

{{As of|2023}}, the Met operates and maintains a fleet of around 5,200 vehicles. In 2018, the fleet covered {{convert|46777720|mi}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/fleet_mileage_and_accident_stati|title=Freedom of Information Request – Fleet Mileage & Accident Statistics|date=25 February 2019|access-date=26 March 2019|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328124633/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/fleet_mileage_and_accident_stati|url-status=live}} The fleet comprises numerous vehicles, including:{{cite web|url=http://www.met.police.uk/foi/pdfs/disclosure_2011/february/2011010002376.pdf |title=Freedom of Information request – list of vehicles currently owned/operated by the Metropolitan Police Service|date=February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117022326/http://www.met.police.uk/foi/pdfs/disclosure_2011/february/2011010002376.pdf |archive-date=17 January 2012 }}

• Incident response vehicles (IRV): attached to the various Basic Command Units (BCU) of the Metropolitan Police area, used for frontline policing duties such as patrol and emergency response.
• Q-cars: covert unmarked vehicles, belonging to a variety of departments.
• Armed response vehicle (ARV): Transports authorised firearms officers trained to use firearms to deal with incidents involving deadly weapons.
• Traffic units: respond to traffic accidents on major roads, enforce traffic laws and encourage road safety.
• Motorcycles: utilised by the Roads and Transport Policing Command and Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection for more agile patrol and response.
• Scrambler bikes: used by Operation Venice officers to combat moped gangs.{{Cite web|last=Davenport|first=Justin|date=31 October 2017|title=Met chiefs reveal harsh new tactics in battle against moped gangs|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/scotland-yard-unveil-new-tactics-in-crackdown-on-moped-gangs-including-new-scrambler-bikes-to-chase-down-suspects-and-stinger-spikes-a3672366.html|access-date=27 April 2021|website=www.standard.co.uk|language=en|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427123554/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/scotland-yard-unveil-new-tactics-in-crackdown-on-moped-gangs-including-new-scrambler-bikes-to-chase-down-suspects-and-stinger-spikes-a3672366.html|url-status=live}}
• Collision investigation units (CIU): respond to and appropriately investigate all major road traffic collisions.
• Protected carriers: used for public order duties.
• Personnel carriers: used to transport numerous officers on patrol and to incidents, as well as non-violent public order situations.
• Station vans: used to transport both officers and suspects in a cage in the rear of the van.
• Commercial vehicle units: used to respond to incidents involving commercial vehicles.
• CBRN units: used to mitigate chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents. These are identified by a large amount of equipment lockers on newer vans and a large array of detecting equipment on the top of older vans.
• Control units: used for incident command and control purposes.
• Armoured multi-role vehicles: used for public order duties, airport and counter-terrorism duties, or as required.
• General purpose vehicles: used for general support and transportation duties of officers or equipment.
• Training vehicles: used to train police drivers.
• Miscellaneous vehicles: such as horseboxes and trailers.
• The Metropolitan Police Historic Vehicle Collection

The majority of vehicles have a service life of three to five years; the Met replaces or upgrades between 800 and 1,000 vehicles each year. Vehicles were initially maintained and repaired on contract by Babcock International; from November 2023, the contract for 3,700 of the Met's 5,200 vehicles was undertaken by Rivus Fleet Solutions for a ten-year period.{{cite web |last=Roberts |first=Gareth |url=https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/fleet-industry-news/2023/03/02/rivus-strikes-maintenance-and-repair-fleet-deal-with-met-police |title=Rivus strikes maintenance and repair fleet deal with Met Police |work=FleetNews |date=2 March 2023 |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708194242/https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/fleet-industry-news/2023/03/02/rivus-strikes-maintenance-and-repair-fleet-deal-with-met-police |url-status=live }} Rivus fell into administration on 21 June 2024, with a deal being agreed by the Metropolitan Police to buy back its maintenance operations, saving 165 jobs.{{cite news |last1=Middleton |first1=Natalie |title=Met Police buys Rivus business and assets following collapse |url=https://fleetworld.co.uk/met-police-buys-rivus-business-and-assets-following-collapse/ |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=fleetworld |date=25 June 2024 |location=St Albans}}

By 2012, the Met was marking all new marked vehicles with Battenburg markings, a highly reflective material on the side of the vehicles, chequered blue and yellow green for the police, and in other colours for other services.{{cite news |author= |date=19 November 2012 |title=Met Police cars to have Battenburg livery |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20393064 |work=BBC News |access-date=9 July 2023 |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709070639/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20393064 |url-status=live }} The old livery was an orange stripe through the vehicle, with the force's logo, known colloquially as the 'jam sandwich', which was first introduced in 1978 with the delivery of high-performance Rover SD1 traffic cars.{{cite news |title=New look for police cars |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/westminster-and-pimlico-news-new-look-fo/133726425/ |newspaper=Westminster and Pimlico News |date=14 July 1978 |page=41 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=14 November 2023 |archive-date=14 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114205504/https://www.newspapers.com/article/westminster-and-pimlico-news-new-look-fo/133726425/ |url-status=live }} Originally, marked vehicles were finished in base white paint; this was changed to silver from 2002 to help improve a vehicle's resale value when it was retired from police use.{{cite news |last=Gibbs |first=Nick |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-standard-silver-lining-for-the-m/135385999/ |title=Silver lining for the Met |date=14 June 2002 |newspaper=Evening Standard |location=London |page=99 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=18 November 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118150317/https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-standard-silver-lining-for-the-m/135385999/ |url-status=live }}

The National Police Air Service provides helicopter support to the Met.

A marine policing unit operates 22 vessels from its base in Wapping.

Funding for the Metropolitan Police has been cut due to austerity. Changes in the way the government pays for police pensions will lead to further cuts.[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/london-met-police-pensions-money-extra-cost-a8588926.html London's cash-strapped police must find £130m per year to pay extra pensions costs despite 'end of austerity'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018022534/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/london-met-police-pensions-money-extra-cost-a8588926.html |date=18 October 2018 }} The Independent Its expenditure for single years, not adjusted for inflation, has been:{{cite book |title=Official Encyclopedia of Scotland Yard |last=Fido |first=Martin |author2=Keith Skinner |year=2000 |publisher=Virgin |isbn= 978-1-85227-712-3|page=56 }}

• File:Met-police-armoured-truck.jpg – utilised for airport patrols, counter-terrorism and public order situations]] File:POLICE BOAT RIVER THAMES.jpg on the River Thames]] Protection Command – This command is split into two branches: Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) and Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP). RaSP provides personal armed protection for the Royal family, Prime Minister and other ministers, ambassadors and visiting heads of state. PaDP is responsible for providing armed officers to protect the Palace of Westminster, important residences such as Downing Street and the many embassies found located in London. Royal Palaces are the responsibility of RaSP.{{cite web|url=http://content.met.police.uk/Site/protectioncommand|title=Home – The Met|website=content.met.police.uk|access-date=3 December 2016|archive-date=18 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218105644/http://content.met.police.uk/Site/protectioncommand|url-status=live}} The Special Escort Group (SEG) are responsible for escorting the Royal Family, Prime Minister and other ministers, ambassadors and visiting heads of state, and occasionally prisoner transport.
• Aviation Policing Command – Responsible for providing policing (with the majority being armed officers) at Heathrow Airport and London City Airport.{{cite web|url=http://content.met.police.uk/Site/securitycommand|title=Home – The Met|website=content.met.police.uk|access-date=1 December 2016|archive-date=18 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218110032/http://content.met.police.uk/Site/securitycommand|url-status=live}}
• Flying Squad – A unit which investigates and intercepts armed robberies. The name comes from the fact its members travelled across divisional and borough boundaries.
• Trident Gang Crime Command – Investigates and works to prevent gang crime.
• Roads and Transport Policing Command – Provides policing for the transport network in London, comprising numerous divisions: the Traffic Division, patrols the road, pursuing fleeing suspects and enforcing speed, safety, and drink driving;{{cite web|url=http://content.met.police.uk/Site/roadsandtransport|title=Home – The Met|website=content.met.police.uk|access-date=3 December 2016|archive-date=8 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208180710/http://content.met.police.uk/Site/roadsandtransport|url-status=live}} the Road Crime Team focuses on dangerous drivers, priority roads, uninsured vehicles and 'fatal four' offences;{{Cite web|title=New team driving down road crime in the capital {{!}} Road Safety Support|url=https://www.roadsafetysupport.co.uk/news/new-team-driving-down-road-crime-capital|access-date=27 April 2021|website=www.roadsafetysupport.co.uk|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427123604/https://www.roadsafetysupport.co.uk/news/new-team-driving-down-road-crime-capital|url-status=live}} the Safer Transport Team (STT) provide a policing presence on Transport for London's buses and investigates most crimes committed on them.
• Specialist Firearms Command – (MO19) Responsible for providing armed response and support across the whole of London with Authorised Firearms Officers (AFO) travelling in ARVs (Armed Response Vehicles) responding to calls involving firearms and weapons. MO19 employs a number of CTSFOs (Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officers), who have additional training, specifically at lengths in order to combat terrorism.{{cite web|url=http://content.met.police.uk/Site/sco19|title=Home – The Met|website=content.met.police.uk|access-date=1 December 2016|archive-date=4 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504191911/http://content.met.police.uk/Site/sco19/|url-status=live}}
• Dog Support Unit – (DSU) Provides highly trained dogs and police handlers, under MO7 Taskforce. They are trained to detect drugs and firearms, respond to searches, missing people, and fleeing suspects. Bomb-detection dogs are also used for specific duties.{{cite web|url=http://content.met.police.uk/Site/dogsupportunit|title=Home – The Met|website=content.met.police.uk|access-date=1 December 2016|archive-date=26 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126201251/http://content.met.police.uk/Site/dogsupportunit|url-status=live}} As of 2015 the unit had around 250 police dogs.{{cite web|url=http://content.met.police.uk/Article/History/1400009457612/dogsupportunit|title=Dog Support Unit – History|publisher=Metropolitan Police|access-date=4 June 2015|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233403/http://content.met.police.uk/Article/History/1400009457612/dogsupportunit|url-status=live}}
• Marine Policing Unit – (MPU) Provides policing on the waterways of London, responding to situations in the River Thames and tracking and stopping illegal vessels entering and exiting London.{{cite web|url=http://content.met.police.uk/Site/marinepolicingunit|title=Home – The Met|website=content.met.police.uk|access-date=1 December 2016|archive-date=4 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704073123/http://content.met.police.uk/Site/marinepolicingunit|url-status=live}}
• Mounted Branch – Provides policing on horseback in London, under MO7 Taskforce. One of their duties is escorting the Royal Guard down The Mall, into and out of Buckingham Palace every morning from April to July, then occasionally through the remainder of the year. They also provide public order support and are commonly called to police football matches in the event of any unrest. All officers are trained in public order tactics on horseback.{{cite web|url=http://content.met.police.uk/Site/mountedbranch|title=Home – The Met|website=content.met.police.uk|access-date=3 December 2016|archive-date=15 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815013120/http://content.met.police.uk/Site/mountedbranch|url-status=live}} As of 2010 the Branch had 120 police horses.{{cite web|url=http://www.met.police.uk/mountedbranch/index.htm|title=Mounted Branch – Introduction|publisher=Metropolitan Police|access-date=13 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20060711093022/http://www.met.police.uk/mountedbranch/index.htm|archive-date=11 July 2006}}

• Police Support Unit (PSU) – Trained to deal with a variety of public order situations outside the remit or capability of regular divisional officers.{{Cite web|title=Disturbances in Tottenham, Tottenham Hale and Wood Green Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th August 2011|url=https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/10023/17650/Supplementary_Material_Triangulated_Account.pdf?sequence=1|url-status=live|access-date=14 October 2021|website=University of St. Andrews|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225131942/https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/10023/17650/Supplementary_Material_Triangulated_Account.pdf?sequence=1}} These are often regular Emergency Response and Patrol Team Carriers, as such of both Borough Support Units (BSU) and Public Order Borough Support Units (POBSU), the latter of which carrying officers often trained in Public Order Level 2 (POL2)
• Territorial Support Group (TSG) – Highly trained officers, specialised in public order and large-scale riots responding around London in marked Public Order Carriers (POC) with 6 constables and a sergeant in each POC. The TSG are specifically trained in Public Order Level 1 (POL1), handling the most violent of riots or protests. They also hold Method of Entry (MOE) qualifications as an aid to local response officers. They aim to secure the capital against terrorism, respond to any disorder in London, and reduce priority crime through borough support. They respond in highly protective uniform during riots or large disorder, protecting themselves from any thrown objects or hazards.{{cite web|url=http://content.met.police.uk/Site/tsg|title=Home – The Met|website=content.met.police.uk|access-date=3 December 2016|archive-date=26 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126201507/http://content.met.police.uk/Site/tsg|url-status=live}}
• Violent Crime Task Force (VCTF) – Formed in April 2018, the VCTF is a pan-London proactive response team to knife and serious violent crime, made up of 300 ring-fenced and dedicated police officers who solely focus on violent crime, weapon-enabled crime and serious criminality.{{Cite web|title=Metropolitan Police Service Business Plan progress update 2018–19, Quarter 1 (April to June 2018)|url=https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/force-content/met/about-us/met-business-plan-2018-19-quarter-1-progress-report.pdf?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=pmd_2wSMUtHX6zOEEZGAIT2FYYAhdFZkeWijzVthSFMksnA-1634195403-0-gqNtZGzNA6WjcnBszQhR|url-status=live|access-date=14 October 2021|website=Metropolitan Police Service|archive-date=5 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305113326/https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/force-content/met/about-us/met-business-plan-2018-19-quarter-1-progress-report.pdf?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=pmd_2wSMUtHX6zOEEZGAIT2FYYAhdFZkeWijzVthSFMksnA-1634195403-0-gqNtZGzNA6WjcnBszQhR}} This however has since been disbanded and created into both Borough Based Violence Suppression Units (VSU) and MO7 Taskforce Surge Team. (TST)
• Operation Venice – Formed in 2017 to deal with record-breaking moped crime in London, but also tackles different types of robbery trends; the Scorpion Team consists of highly skilled drivers and riders who were given a green light to instigate tactical contact against moped and motorbikes involved in criminality.{{Cite web |date=May 2022 |title=Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.022955 |url=https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan-police/disclosure_2022/may_2022/use-of-tactical-contact-to-bring-a-motorcycle-pursuit-to-an |website=Met Police |access-date=20 December 2023 |archive-date=13 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813104042/https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan-police/disclosure_2022/may_2022/use-of-tactical-contact-to-bring-a-motorcycle-pursuit-to-an |url-status=dead }} This however, has since been disbanded and replaced with the likes of Interceptor and Surge teams under MO7 Taskforce

File:Met Police Blue Lamp.jpg

In addition to the headquarters at New Scotland Yard, there are many police stations in London.{{cite web|url=http://www.met.police.uk/contacts/AZPhonenumbers.htm |title=Met Police stations: A-Z Directory |publisher=Metropolitan Police |access-date=8 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205194643/http://www.met.police.uk/contacts/AZPhonenumbers.htm |archive-date=5 February 2009 }} These range from large borough headquarters staffed around the clock every day to smaller stations, which may be open to the public only during normal business hours, or on certain days of the week. In 2017, there were 73 working front counters open to the public in London.{{Cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40607533| title=Half of London police stations to close| work=BBC News| date=14 July 2017| access-date=24 September 2018| archive-date=3 November 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103164635/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40607533| url-status=live}} Most police stations can easily be identified from one or more blue lamps located outside the entrance, which were introduced in 1861.

The oldest Metropolitan police station, which opened in Bow Street in 1881, closed in 1992 and the adjoining Bow Street Magistrates' Court heard its last case on 14 July 2006.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5179270.stm |title=BBC: Bow Street court closes its doors |work=BBC News |date=14 July 2006 |access-date=8 June 2009 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803215839/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5179270.stm |url-status=live }} One of the oldest operational police stations in London is in Wapping, which opened in 1908. It is the headquarters of the marine policing unit (formerly known as Thames Division), which is responsible for policing the River Thames. It also houses a mortuary and the River Police Museum. Paddington Green Police Station, which is no longer operational, received much publicity for its housing of terrorism suspects in an underground complex prior to its closure in 2017.

In 2004, there was a call from the Institute for Public Policy Research for more imaginative planning of police stations to aid in improving relations between police forces and the wider community.[http://www.ippr.org.uk/ecomm/files/reinventing_police_station.pdf Institute for Public Policy Research: Re-inventing the police station] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927074315/http://www.ippr.org.uk/ecomm/files/reinventing_police_station.pdf |date=27 September 2006 }}

{{see also|Crime in London}}

Crimes reported within the Metropolitan Police District, selected by quarter centuries.{{cite book |title=Official Encyclopedia of Scotland Yard |last=Fido |first=Martin |author2=Keith Skinner |year=2000 |publisher=Virgin |isbn= 978-1-85227-712-3|page=57}}

• 1829–1830: 20,000
• 1848: 15,000
• 1873: 20,000
• 1898: 18,838
• 1923: 15,383
• 1948: 126,597
• 1973: 355,258
• 1998–1999: 934,254
• 2017–2018: 827,225{{Cite web | url=https://news.sky.com/story/knife-crime-rises-in-england-and-wales-as-london-murders-surge-11346934 | title=Knife crime rises in England and Wales as London murders surge | access-date=24 September 2018 | archive-date=24 September 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924185507/https://news.sky.com/story/knife-crime-rises-in-england-and-wales-as-london-murders-surge-11346934 | url-status=live }}
• 2023–2024: 881,441{{cite web | title=2023 crime statistics | website=Metropolitan Police | url=https://www.met.police.uk/sd/stats-and-data/met/year-end-crime-statistics-22-23/ | access-date=2025-02-19}}

The following table shows the percentage detection rates for the Metropolitan Police by offence group for 2022/2023:

The following table shows the percentage detection rates for the Metropolitan Police by offence group for 2010/2011:Home Office (July 2011). [http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/crime-research/hosb1111/ Crimes detected in England and Wales 2010/11] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007163442/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/crime-research/hosb1111/ |date=7 October 2011 }}. See Excel file for "Police force area tables".

The Metropolitan Police Service "screened out" 34,164 crimes the day they were reported in 2017 and did not investigate them further. This compares to 13,019 the previous year. 18,093 crimes were closed in 24 hours during the first 5 months of 2018 making it likely that the 2017 total will be exceeded. Crimes not being investigated include sexual assaults and arson, burglaries, thefts and assaults. Some critics believe this shows the effect of austerity on the force's ability to carry out its responsibilities.[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/sep/09/met-police-dropped-30000-criminal-investigations-in-first-24-hours-last-year Met police dropped 30,000 criminal investigations in first 24 hours last year] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909182227/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/sep/09/met-police-dropped-30000-criminal-investigations-in-first-24-hours-last-year |date=9 September 2018 }} The Guardian

In 2024, it was reported that there was a zero-detection rate for crimes within 166 neighborhood areas under the responsibility of the Metropolitan Police Service.{{cite web | last=Martin | first=Amy-Clare | title=Met Police failed to solve any neighbourhood crimes in more than 160 areas in 3 years | website=The Independent | date=2024-07-15 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/met-police-neighbourhood-crime-dispatches-b2580025.html | access-date=2025-02-19}}{{cite web | last=Reporters | first=Telegraph | title=Met fails to identify a single burglary suspect in more than 150 neighbourhoods for three years | website=The Telegraph | date=2024-07-15 | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/07/15/met-police-burglary-suspect-failure-identify-channel-4-disp/ | access-date=2025-02-19}}

{{Expand section|date=November 2023}}

{{See also|History of the Metropolitan Police|Institutional racism in the Metropolitan Police|Institutional sexism in the Metropolitan Police}}

The Met was controversial even before its formation in 1829. Since the 1970s, such controversies have often centred on institutional racism and institutional sexism within the organisation, along with the right to protest,{{efn|In August 2023 Graham Smith issued a claim for judicial review against the Metropolitan police commissioner regarding Smith's arrest on the day of the king's coronation, when he was preparing to demonstrate against the monarchy.{{cite web |last1=Boffey |first1=Daniel |title=Anti-monarchy protester suing Met chief over coronation day arrest |date=12 September 2023 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/12/anti-monarchy-protester-suing-met-chief-over-coronation-day-arrest |website=theguardian.com |publisher=Guardian |access-date=12 September 2023 |archive-date=12 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912131600/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/12/anti-monarchy-protester-suing-met-chief-over-coronation-day-arrest |url-status=live }}}} failures in investigations,{{efn|In December 2021, an inquest jury ruled that the deaths in 2014{{ndash}}2015 of serial killer Stephen Port's final three victims was due in part to the Met Police's failings. The inquest found that the Met "failed to carry out basic checks, send evidence to be forensically examined, and exercise professional curiosity while Port was embarking on his killing spree".{{Cite web|date=10 December 2021|title=Stephen Port: Met Police failings led to more deaths|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-59593887|access-date=10 December 2021|website=BBC News|language=en|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210130330/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-59593887|url-status=live}}}} and officers belonging to proscribed organisations.{{efn|In April 2021 an early-career Metropolitan police officer, Ben Hannam, was found guilty of being a member of a banned neo-Nazi terrorist group.{{Cite web|date=1 April 2021|title=Met police officer guilty of belonging to banned neo-Nazi group|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/01/ben-hannam-met-police-officer-guilty-belonging-banned-neo-nazi-terror-group|access-date=1 April 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=1 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401122257/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/01/ben-hannam-met-police-officer-guilty-belonging-banned-neo-nazi-terror-group|url-status=live}}}}

In 2023, a report on the Metropolitan Police found that the organisation was rife with racism, misogyny, and homophobia, and was corrupt. A 363-page report written by Louise Casey, Baroness Casey of Blackstock was commissioned after the abduction of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens, a police constable. The report stated that 12% of female Met employees had been harassed or attacked, with 33% experiencing sexism. Other incidents include a Muslim officer who had bacon stuffed into his boots and a Sikh officer whose beard was cut. The report also found that officers of minority ethnic backgrounds were more likely to be disciplined and leave the force.{{cite news |last1=Dodd |first1=Vikram |title=Met police found to be institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic |date=21 March 2023 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/21/metropolitan-police-institutionally-racist-misogynistic-homophobic-louise-casey-report |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=21 March 2023 |archive-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321000506/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/21/metropolitan-police-institutionally-racist-misogynistic-homophobic-louise-casey-report |url-status=live }} The report was criticised by the charity Galop for not investigating transphobia.{{cite web | url=https://galop.org.uk/news/galops-statement-on-institutionalised-homophobia-and-transphobia-in-the-met-police/ | title=Galop's statement on institutionalised homophobia and transphobia in the Met Police | access-date=2 May 2023 | archive-date=2 May 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502010207/https://galop.org.uk/news/galops-statement-on-institutionalised-homophobia-and-transphobia-in-the-met-police/ | url-status=live }} Five former officers admitted in court in 2023 to sending racist messages, the targets of which included the Duchess of Sussex, and a sixth was convicted after a trial. All six were given suspended jail sentences.{{Cite news |date=2023-09-07 |title=Met Police: Ex-officers admit sending racist WhatsApp messages |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-66743803 |access-date=2023-09-07 |archive-date=7 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907152843/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-66743803 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Symonds |first1=Tom |title=Met Police: Ex-officers sentenced over racist WhatsApp posts|date=7 December 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67650961 |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=12 January 2024}}

On 1 January 2024 the Metropolitan Police were criticised by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson for allegedly demonstrating political bias and double standards in their handling of allegedly pro-Hamas demonstrations, and their efforts to support an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes following Israel's response to terror attacks committed by Hamas on 7 October. The Met released a statement in response stating, "As the UK's investigative authority for war crimes, counter-terrorism policing – through the Met's war crimes team – has a responsibility to support ICC investigations. The ICC opened an investigation in 2019 into alleged war crimes in Israel and Palestine." The spokesman added that "under the terms of the 1998 Rome Statute, our war crimes team is obliged to support any investigations opened by the ICC that could involve British subjects" and said the posters were put up to meet that obligation.{{Cite news |last1=Mendick |first1=Robert |last2=Evans |first2=Martin |date=2024-01-03 |title=Johnson condemns Met Police investigation into Israel 'war crimes' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/03/boris-johnson-condemns-police-investigation-israel-gaza/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}

In April 2024, the Met settled a claim for misfeasance in a public office and false imprisonment by agreeing to pay a five-figure sum as damages to a French publisher who had been arrested and detained under anti-terrorism laws while he was on his way to a book fair in London.{{cite web |last1=Weaver |first1=Matthew |title=Met police to pay 'five-figure sum' to French publisher arrested under anti-terror laws|date=29 April 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/apr/29/met-police-to-pay-five-figure-sum-to-french-publisher-arrested-under-anti-terror-laws |website=theguardian.com |publisher=Guardian |access-date=5 May 2024}}

In August 2024, a report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services said that the Met was rated inadequate or failing regarding crime investigations and managing offenders. It was rated as requiring improvement in five other areas, and as adequate in one.{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Liz |title=Met failing in almost all work areas – inspectorate|date=15 August 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0qe1g4g751o |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=15 August 2024}}

In September 2024, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services issued a report regarding the Met’s handling of the pro-Palestinian protests, saying that the Met had been largely impartial. The report criticised the then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the then Home Secretary Suella Braverman for suggesting otherwise.{{cite web |last1=Dodd |first1=Vikram |title=Sunak and Braverman wrong to lambast Met over Palestine demos, report says|date=10 September 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/sep/10/sunak-braverman-metropolitan-police-palestine-demos-report |website=theguardian.com |publisher=Guardian |access-date=11 September 2024}}

In November 2024, it was found that the Metropolitan Police were told about allegations of sexual assault against Mohamed Al-Fayed, the late businessman and owner of Harrods, ten years earlier than it had acknowledged.{{cite news |first1=Hannah |last1=Price |first2=Daniel |last2=De Simone |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg7nk5dx0wo |title=Met told about Al Fayed a decade earlier than stated |date=1 November 2024 |access-date=1 November 2024}} The Met had claimed that it first received such allegations in 2005.{{cite news |first=Daniel |last=De Simone |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8egz8gr8lo |title=Met only sought Al Fayed charges for two victims |work=BBC News |date=19 October 2024 |access-date=1 November 2024}} However, in 1995, the Met had received such allegations from Samantha Ramsay, who is now deceased. The BBC reported that "Samantha’s family say the Met dismissed her claims. They believe that multiple women could have been saved from sexual abuse if the force had acted." The Met claimed that there was no history of Samantha's allegations on their computer system, "but that in 1995 some reports were paper-based and might not have been transferred." Ramsay's sister, Emma, recalled the police as having said at the time: Emma recalls that the police told Samantha: “We’ve added it to a pile of other female names that we’ve got that have made the same complaint against Mohamed Al Fayed.”{{cite news |first1=Hannah |last1=Price |first2=Daniel |last2=De Simone |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg7nk5dx0wo |title=Met told about Al Fayed a decade earlier than stated |date=1 November 2024 |access-date=1 November 2024}} On 8 November, the Independent Office for Police Conduct announced that they would be investigating the Met over their handling of allegations of sexual misconduct related to the case.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr5mrp9g2n0o |title=Watchdog to review police handling of Al Fayed abuse claims |date=8 November 2024 |access-date=8 November 2024}}

{{Portal|London}}

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• 2010 United Kingdom student protests
• Bent Coppers, 2003 non-fiction book that examines police corruption within the MPS
• Crimint
• Hendon Police College
• Institutional racism in the Metropolitan Police
• Institutional sexism in the Metropolitan Police
• London Emergency Services Liaison Panel
• The Met: Policing London
• List of British police officers killed in the line of duty
• Metropolitan police role in phone hacking scandal
• News International phone hacking scandal
• Police Forces of the United Kingdom
• Police National E-Crime Unit
• Project Griffin
• Regal, Olga, and Upstart, three MPS horses decorated for bravery during the Blitz
• Royal National Lifeboat Institution

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Other London emergency services:

• London's Air Ambulance Charity
• London Ambulance Service
• London Fire Brigade
• City of London Police

{{notelist}}

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{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/police-forces/metropolitan/ Metropolitan Police] at His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services
• [https://archives.parliament.uk/collections/getrecord/GB61_MET Parliamentary Archives, Records of the Metropolitan Police] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815072917/https://archives.parliament.uk/collections/getrecord/GB61_MET |date=15 August 2021 }}

{{Metropolitan Police}}

{{Police forces of the United Kingdom}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Police forces of London

Category:Organizations established in 1829

Category:1829 establishments in England

Category:Government agencies established in 1829