Underperforming senior officers at Scotland Yard are being offered the chance to bow out gracefully ahead of sweeping reforms to the Metropolitan Police.
Chief inspectors and superintendents have been invited to take part in a voluntary exit scheme, which offers financial incentives to leave Britain’s largest police force before major changes take effect.
In a letter sent to senior ranks, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and his deputy Matt Jukes said the scheme provides a “dignified exit for those with the self-awareness to realise that they are either not willing or able to change”, The Telegraph reported.
Sir Mark wrote: “I have committed to provide an exit route for the small number of leaders amongst you that are not up for the challenge or continue to fail to reach the high standards our communities and our people deserve.
“Please take time to reflect on your own position and consider what role you are prepared to play in shaping the future of the Met.”
The letter is said to reveal some of the Commissioner’s frustration at the slow pace of reform since he began overhauling the force.
The voluntary scheme will be open to both uniformed and detective officers, with the first departures expected in May next year. It remains unclear how many senior officers will take up the offer, or how much the Met will need to pay out.
Sir Mark told recipients the scheme was “not about either punishment or reward” but stressed the force’s mission was “too important to fail” and could only succeed with “fully committed” leaders.
Underperforming officers who decline the offer could be removed with less ceremony. Sir Mark has already approached the Home Office about reinstating powers to retire long-serving officers on efficiency grounds.
One Met insider said it was “understandable” that the Commissioner “wants to clear out dead wood” but warned the letter could cause unease among other officers.
“While this letter is being sent to chief inspectors and above, a constable or sergeant with 20 years’ experience might think ‘is this aimed at me?’ because it reads like the problem lies with those who have been around a long time,” the source said.
The Met has been rocked by a series of scandals in recent years — most notably the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens in 2021.
More recently, an undercover reporter filmed officers at Charing Cross police station making racist and misogynistic comments and dismissing a rape victim’s complaint.
Sir Mark, who became Commissioner on September 12, 2022, has since overseen the removal of 1,400 officers as part of his drive to root out corruption. Last month, Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes said officers unfit to serve would be identified through “quick and focused” methods.
