SCOTLAND YARD has issued an apology after “disgraceful” racist and sexist behaviour by police officers was revealed by an investigation into the Metropolitan police.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) made 15 recommendations to overhaul the discriminatory culture found in the police.

It comes after an investigation was launched over a complaint that a police officer had sex with a drunk person in a police station.

More officers came forward with evidence of homophobic, racist and misogynistic attitudes were rife which mainly focused within Charing Cross police station. 

In damings messages, police officers were discovered to have made offensive comments about African children, Somali people and Auschwitz, as well as used discriminatory language about gay and disabled people. 

Further messages from WhatsApp groups and a Facebook chat inclsive – and some may find it upsetting. However, we felt it was important to provide the context for the public, the Met and other forces, for why such hard hitting recommendations are necessary.

He added: “The Metropolitan Police Service has to enjoy the trust and confidence of its own officers from diverse communities before it can hope to bridge the gap in trust and confidence with the communities it serves.”uding commentsabout rape were officers were found to have said “I would happily rape you” and “if I was single I would happily chloroform you”.

The IOPC report described how one police officer was nicknamed “mcrapey raperson” and that officers had exchanged messages about attending a festival “dressed as known sex offenders and a molested child”.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bas Javid, said: “I am angry and disappointed to see officers involved in sharing sexist, racist and discriminatory messages. It’s clear we have a lot of work to do to ensure bullying and discrimination does not exist in any part of the Met.

“The actions of these officers between 2016 and 2018 were unacceptable, unprofessional, disrespectful and deeply offensive. I read their messages with increasing disgust and shame.”

He added: “We haven’t waited for the IOPC’s report to take action – a number of officers have been subject to misconduct proceedings, including one officer dismissed and one who would have been dismissed had he not already resigned. Every Met employee has also been spoken to about responsible use of social media.

“We recognise that there is need for real change in the Met and we are committed to creating an environment that is even more intolerant to those who do not uphold the high values and standards expected of us.”

Two officers involved in the investigation were found to have a case to answer for gross misconduct. 

One officer received a written warning and another received no further action after demonstrating performance improvements. 

The Met is now being urged to tackle “underlying cultural issues” in police forces and to stop spaces where “unprofessional and inappropriate behaviour can thrive and go unchallenged”.