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Met Police suspends five officers in racism inquiry Met suspends eight officers and civilian in racism inquiry
(about 2 hours later)
Five Metropolitan Police officers and one other member of staff have been suspended as the IPCC investigates 10 complaints of racism against the force. Eight Metropolitan Police officers and one other member of staff have been suspended as the IPCC investigates 10 complaints of racism against the force.
Earlier the Met said an acting sergeant and two PCs based in Newham had been suspended over a claim of racist abuse during last year's London riots. Earlier the Met said an acting sergeant and two PCs based in Newham had been suspended over a claim of racist abuse after last year's London riots.
The force has now said a further seven complaints are being investigated and two more officers have been suspended. The force has now said a further seven complaints are being investigated and five more officers have been suspended.
Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey said the Met "does not tolerate racism".Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey said the Met "does not tolerate racism".
In total, 20 officers are being investigated in relation to the 10 claims of racism.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has begun a formal investigation into the allegations relating to the officers from Newham.
Following the new allegations, an IPCC spokeswoman said: "We await receipt of the seven referrals from the MPS and we will assess each case on its merits and make a decision regarding the level of IPCC involvement needed.
"At this stage the IPCC has not agreed to investigate any of these latest referrals."
'High standards'
It comes just days after the force vowed to get to the bottom of a "very damaging" mobile phone recording of one officer apparently racially abusing a man and another allegedly assaulting a teenage boy last summer.It comes just days after the force vowed to get to the bottom of a "very damaging" mobile phone recording of one officer apparently racially abusing a man and another allegedly assaulting a teenage boy last summer.
The cases cover a range of areas including Westminster, Wandsworth and Islington and two go back as far as 2010.The cases cover a range of areas including Westminster, Wandsworth and Islington and two go back as far as 2010.
An officer linked to one of the complaints has been suspended after being convicted of racially aggravated offences.An officer linked to one of the complaints has been suspended after being convicted of racially aggravated offences.
Mr Mackey said he had commissioned a review of racism complaints and added: "The Met has around 50,000 staff, including 32,000 officers, who were deployed to over 1.3 million incidents last year on behalf of Londoners.Mr Mackey said he had commissioned a review of racism complaints and added: "The Met has around 50,000 staff, including 32,000 officers, who were deployed to over 1.3 million incidents last year on behalf of Londoners.
"The vast majority act with the professionalism and high standards we expect.""The vast majority act with the professionalism and high standards we expect."
Allegations of bullying, abuse and physical assault were outlined in the new cases made public.Allegations of bullying, abuse and physical assault were outlined in the new cases made public.
Following the new allegations, Mayor of London Boris Johnson spoke to the commissioner and said the claims were of "deep concern".
He said: "London is the most tolerant city in the world. There is no room for racism here and the commissioner is right to take a zero-tolerance approach to any racism in the ranks of the Met.
"These allegations are therefore of deep concern and I have instructed my deputy mayor to liaise closely with the commissioner and the IPCC to ensure they are investigated thoroughly."
Claims include:Claims include:
  • Bullying by a number of police officers and staff against police community support officers over an 18-month period in Wandsworth.
  • An assault involving five officers from the Territorial Support Group against several youngsters in Hyde Park in 2011.
  • A complaint from a member of the public of racial abuse by an unidentified police officer while in Camden in January.
  • Mishandling of calls with a "racial element" by a PC working in the force's central communication command in 2010.
  • Racist language by a PC working in Westminster between May 2010 and August last year.
  • Racist language in Islington by a PC and a member of police staff, reported on 26 March.
  • Officer convicted on 26 March of racially aggravated public order offences that were investigated by the British Transport Police - a mandatory referral to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
  • Bullying by a number of police officers and staff against police community support officers over an 18-month period in Wandsworth.
  • An assault involving five officers from the Territorial Support Group against several youngsters in Hyde Park in 2011.
  • A complaint from a member of the public of racial abuse by an unidentified police officer while in Camden in January.
  • Mishandling of calls with a "racial element" by a PC working in the force's central communication command in 2010.
  • Racist language by a PC working in Westminster between May 2010 and August last year.
  • Racist language in Islington by a PC and a member of police staff, reported on 26 March.
  • An officer convicted on 26 March of racially aggravated public order offences that were investigated by the British Transport Police - a mandatory referral to the IPCC.