Revolving Doors responds to the Baroness Casey Review
Following the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met officer, the conviction of two serving Met officers for taking photographs of Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry following their murder, and a slew of other deeply troubling scandals, Baroness Louise Casey was appointed to lead an independent review into culture and standards.
In response to the Baroness Casey review final report and recommendations, Pavan Dhaliwal, Chief Executive of Revolving Doors, said:
“Over 20 years ago, in what was considered a ‘watershed’ moment, the inquiry into the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence concluded. The findings were emphatic about the existence and extent of institutional racism in the Met Police and across our public institutions, urging serious, meaningful action. All that followed were years of piecemeal measures that stopped short of the systemic change that was needed. Racial disparities continue to pervade all areas of the criminal justice system, with trust and confidence in the police remaining disastrously low.
“Today in what, no doubt, will again be considered a seminal moment, the Baroness Casey Review has laid bare the rot of structural discrimination that has continued to permeate the Met Police – an institution of the state charged with upholding its duties with integrity, common sense, and sound judgement. Two decades on from Stephen Lawrence, institutional misogyny and homophobia are added to official charges of racism.
“It is high time the Met accepts that it is institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic – this is not a time for the force to close ranks and rehash the narrative of ‘a few bad apples’. Nor is it time for cherrypicked, narrow reforms coupled with headline-grabbing political posturing. These deep-rooted issues cannot be changed until they are faced honestly. This will take a level of bravery, integrity and political will that we have seen little of to date. This is not about demonising individuals but is a rallying call for nothing short of radical, long-lasting systemic change. Our hope is this latest review could finally be the catalyst for that and we stand in solidarity with those who have been at the sharp end of institutional discrimination at the hands of the Met.”
About Revolving Doors
Revolving Doors is a national charity working to break the cycle of crisis and crime. We advocate for a system that addresses the drivers of contact with the criminal justice system, including trauma, poverty and discrimination. We bring independent research, policy expertise and lived experience together to champion long-term solutions for justice reform.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Axelle Chomette axelle.chomette@revolving-doors.org.uk. For out-of-hours queries or to speak to someone on the phone, please contact Cordelia Tucker O’Sullivan cordelia.tuckerosullivan@revolving-doors.org.uk or 07708865812.
