Met Police says it is using 'Al Capone approach' to remove officers who fail standards

The Metropolitan Police said it is adopting an "Al Capone approach" to drive out misconduct by accelerating the removal of officers who fail to meet standards, as it disclosed that more than 1,400 officers were exited between 2022 and June 2025.

Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes compared the tactic to the way US authorities prosecuted Al Capone in the 1930s for tax evasion rather than waiting to prove other crimes. Jukes said the Met will prioritise quick, focused exits while continuing to pursue investigations into any serious criminality or misconduct.

"What we won't do in that process is neglect serious criminality or serious misconduct," Jukes said. "But rather than wait we'll put them out the door first, and we'll continue with those investigations, if that's the right thing to do. We're keen to exit those officers who don't display the standards required in the organisation, and we're going to do that in ways which are quick and focused."

The clear-out is the biggest in the force's history and was intensified after the murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens, which prompted widespread criticism and scrutiny of policing standards. The Met said it removed 557 officers in one year alone, compared with 146 in 2021, and that it now has "one of the strongest ever vetting entry systems." Jukes added the campaign was "as big an impact as the pursuit of corrupt officers in Sir Robert Mark's commissionership."

The force said it would examine sickness records, grievances, overtime patterns and use of devices to identify officers of concern. "We're breaking up and busting up teams," Jukes said, signifying a systemic effort to dismantle teams where problems have been identified rather than relying solely on individual prosecutions or lengthy disciplinary processes.

Separately, the Met announced suspensions and internal moves following allegations arising from a BBC Panorama investigation into behaviour in custody at Charing Cross police station. Detective Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said eight officers and a staff member had been suspended and that he was in the process of "dismantling" the custody team at Charing Cross. All 16 custody sergeants and all 34 designated detention officers at the site were being moved to other locations while inquiries proceed.

A separate investigation into officers' conduct in north-west London led to a detective inspector being charged with perverting the course of justice, the force said. The Met has said it will not shy away from criminal referrals where warranted even as it expedites administrative exits.

Metropolitan Police leaders have framed the measures as part of a broader cultural reset and governance overhaul. The force has faced intense public and political pressure since high-profile cases involving serving officers, prompting reviews of vetting, supervision and accountability. The accelerated dismissals and redeployments are intended to restore public confidence while preserving the capacity to pursue criminal investigations where necessary.

The Met did not provide an immediate breakdown of the reasons for each exit or how many of the 1,400-plus exits led to criminal charges, saying that investigations and disciplinary processes vary case by case. The force said its approach aims to remove officers who fall short of expected standards quickly while maintaining the option of continuing formal misconduct and criminal inquiries.

Home Office and oversight bodies previously urged improvements in vetting and internal oversight after a series of scandals. The Metropolitan Police said its strengthened vetting for new recruits, combined with the current programme of exits and restructurings, is intended to reduce future incidents and reinforce professional standards across the force.