Race discrimination employment tribunal claims brought by Metropolitan Police officers and staff have more than doubled in the last financial year, according to exclusive data obtained by the Guardian.
The figures reveal a staggering 108% increase in racism-related claims compared with the previous year, reaching the highest level recorded across the past five years.
Sharp Rise in Legal Challenges
Information released under the Freedom of Information Act covered new claims lodged between 2019 and 2024 where race discrimination or racism was cited. While numbers fluctuated annually, the 2023-24 period witnessed the most dramatic surge in cases.
Leroy Logan, a former Met superintendent, told the Guardian that numerous serving officers have contacted him, expressing concerns about facing increased disciplinary action. He suggested the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) was specifically targeting Black staff to generate dismissal figures that support the Met's public campaign against misconduct.
"It's quite clear from the data that, since the commissioner has had this real war on sexist, misogynist and other criminally minded officers, he's allowed the DPS to ride roughshod throughout the organisation," Logan stated.
"They're not being as objective as they should be. Consequently, Black officers – African, Caribbean and Asian officers – are being more focused on than white officers."
Systemic Issues and Internal Reviews
College of Policing data shows the Met dismissed 183 officers in the year to 31 March 2025, representing a significant portion of the 735 dismissals recorded across all UK police forces.
The FoI response indicated that only a small number of officers who challenged their dismissal were successful over the past five years. Most cases concluded with withdrawals, settlements, strike-outs or judgments favouring the Met police force.
This increase in tribunal claims follows sustained scrutiny of the Met's internal culture, including:
- The landmark Casey review
- Multiple investigations into racism, discrimination and misconduct
- The internal '30 Patterns of Harm' review
The '30 Patterns of Harm' review, commissioned by the Met itself, concluded that anti-Black racism is "baked into institutional design". The Guardian previously revealed that the force had delayed the report's publication for months before releasing it in November following pressure from Black staff.
Police Response and Continuing Concerns
When approached about the dramatic rise in tribunal claims, a Met spokesperson acknowledged the challenges: "We have been clear we have much more to do to tackle the systemic, cultural, leadership and regulatory failings that have allowed racism to put down deep roots in the Met."
"We want to be an anti-racist and actively inclusive organisation, creating a workplace that is accessible to all and where everyone can thrive."
The force denied allegations of targeting Black staff while protecting white colleagues, but conceded: "We know there is disproportionality in misconduct processes and that is a concern for the Met, our staff and wider communities."
Since becoming commissioner three years ago, Sir Mark Rowley has described his efforts as "the biggest corruption clear-out in British policing history", claiming that 11 officers or staff are being forced out each week.
Diane Vincent, chair of the Metropolitan Black Police Association, responded to the FoI data by stating: "The result from the FoI request, 30 Patterns of Harm, BBC Panorama, Casey, are all evidence to support what we have been saying for a very long time."
"If we are to build trust and confidence, if we are to represent the community we serve, if we are to retain our Black, African, Caribbean and Asian workforce, then we need to do better than this."
The persistence of discrimination claims and emerging reports on structural racism suggest that past recommendations have failed to adequately address the deep-rooted cultural and systemic problems within Britain's largest police force.
