Rogue UK police on rise despite Sir Mark Rowley's promises

I clearly remember Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Police Commissioner, promising to root out rogue police officers when he got the top job (2022). And yet The Times reports, today 23rd January 2026, that the number of criminal charges against police officers in England and Wales has risen by an astonishing 42 per cent in the past year according to Home Office figures.

Officers faced 323 charges, including 85 for sexual assault in the year to March 2025 up from 227 in 2023-24 and 160 in 2022-23. Data showed 1,687 officers were referred to misconduct cases.

Ah, misconduct cases! I am embroiled in one of my making at the moment. I was pushed over aggressively while photographing a protest in London which resulted in the breakage of the neck of my left femur -  a very serious injury resulting in the death of 30% of sufferers in the first year believe it or not. The officer committed a crime against me (GBH or assault occasioning actual bodily harm) but on my formal complaint the Directorate of Police Standards (DPS) said that his behaviour was perfectly acceptable! 

Only they refuse to show me the body worn camera that was worn by the officer who assaulted me (PC Lockett). I am making an application for Judicial Review and have complained to the ICO. Plus I am making a further complaint!

The point is that the police are far too often dishonest. Even the Directorate of Police Standards are not infrequently dishonest!! So much for maintaining standards.

From my perspective the Met Police are systemically dishonest and cannot be trusted. The public no longer trust the Met Police. Yes, the police say there are many honest and committed officers but my personal experience tells me otherwise. I say again in my case the DPS are cynically lying over Lockett's behaviour when he violently pushed me over causing a grave, life-changing injury. 

If the organisation charged with upholding standards are inherently dishonest as appears to be the case how can we trust and respect the Metropolitan Police?

Here is a paragraph or two on the promise to root out rogue officers:

Mark Rowley and the Promise to Remove Rogue Police Officers

Since becoming Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in September 2022, Sir Mark Rowley has repeatedly promised to rid the force of so-called “rogue” officers and restore public trust after a series of damaging scandals. His message has been clear and consistent: officers who are racist, misogynistic, corrupt, or otherwise unfit to serve should not be wearing the uniform.

Rowley has spoken publicly about a minority of officers whose behaviour undermines the legitimacy of the entire service. In interviews and speeches, he has pledged a tougher approach to misconduct, faster disciplinary processes, and a cultural reset within Britain’s largest police force. He has described the removal of unfit officers as essential to rebuilding confidence, particularly among communities who feel failed or mistreated by policing.

However, turning that promise into action has proved more complicated than rhetoric alone suggests. A significant obstacle emerged when a High Court ruling confirmed that the Metropolitan Police could not dismiss officers solely by withdrawing their vetting clearance. This decision blocked a route Rowley hoped would allow the force to remove officers who failed integrity checks but had not yet been dismissed through formal misconduct proceedings.

Rowley responded forcefully, criticising the legal framework as unworkable and calling for urgent reform. He argued that it was “absurd” for officers who failed basic vetting standards to remain in post due to procedural constraints. His stance added pressure on the government to amend police regulations.

In response, ministers announced changes to vetting rules, making failure of vetting a clear basis for dismissal. Rowley welcomed these reforms, describing them as closing a serious loophole and giving police leaders the tools they need to act decisively.

In summary, Sir Mark Rowley has undeniably promised to remove rogue officers and has pushed hard for the authority to do so. While legal barriers initially limited his ability to deliver, recent regulatory changes mean that his pledge can now be tested not by words, but by results.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.