We will root out corrupt Met officers one by one

A STEADY stream of Met Police officers will appear in court each week in the scandal-ridden force’s drive to clean up, its chief admitted yesterday.

- John Twomey and Francesca Edwards

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said a new Met hotline has received “tens of calls” a week, leading to new investigations – a third of which relate to constabularies elsewhere in the country.

Still reeling from the horrific crimes of PC David Carrick, who admitted 24 rapes, the London force is bracing itself for more “painful truths” while purging hundreds of criminals from its ranks.

And it comes after one of its “safer schools” officers pleaded guilty on Tuesday to child sex offences.

Sir Mark told London Assembly members that rooting out corrupt officers and staff will take time.

He said: “Lifting the stone and revealing painful truths will not be resolved overnight. We have to prepare for more painful stories as we confront the issues.”

The Met is reviewing previous allegations of sexual offences and domestic violence against around 1,000 officers and staff to ensure investigations were thorough and ended with appropriate action. Sir Mark said he expects two or three officers per week to appear in court charged with offences linked to dishonesty, sexual offences, violence or domestic violence.