Statement from West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster following the Casey Review publication:
“The Casey Report has concluded that the Metropolitan Police is institutionally racist, misogynistic, homophobic and corrupt. It is failing on so many levels that the crisis is existential. It has lost sight of the fundamental principle that policing is based on consent and has missed repeated opportunities to reform over the decades. The Report is deeply and profoundly damning.
“In response I will convene a West Midlands Police Public Accountability Forum at which West Midlands Police can explain to the public, key stakeholders and the media, in an open and transparent way, the work that is taking place within West Midlands Police to prevent and tackle any and all racism, misogyny, homophobia and corruption, and how we can do more in the light of Baroness Casey’s findings.
“All police officers, as is the case with any profession, have a duty to comply with the highest standards of conduct, ethics, integrity and professionalism. That is non-negotiable. If there are any police officers that are incapable of grasping or understanding that basic principle then they have no place in the police service.
“Equally, it is the responsibility of senior leaders within policing to ensure that there is no place whatsoever for racism, misogyny, homophobia or corruption within policing. The findings set out in the Casey Report evidence a lamentable failure of leadership, within the Metropolitan Police, over many years at the highest level.
“Since becoming Police and Crime Commissioner, compliance with professional standards in policing has been one of my top priorities. I am holding West Midlands Police to account to ensure it complies with vetting procedures, performance manages officers and staff, and deals with complaints and misconduct. The work on our joint Fairness and Belonging plan and the Force’s programme to improve ethical standards and behaviours are all part of the action that is being taken.
“In addition, I am committed to constant and unremitting action to hold West Midlands Police to account, to ensure that the 43 recommendations set out in the Report of HMICFRS, dated 2 November 2022, are implemented and in particular unsuitable people are prevented from joining in the first place, any misconduct within the force is identified, and officers and staff are dismissed, if they are not fit to serve the public.
“That is because, firstly, they are failing to uphold the Declaration for Office of Constable; secondly, they are a serious risk to the public and their colleagues and cannot be trusted with the powers and responsibility that comes with being a police officer; and thirdly, they are undermining the police service and the vast majority of police officers who are professional, committed and dedicated to preventing crime, protecting people in need and helping the vulnerable.”
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