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Introduction: Why police misconduct matters

Policing in the UK is facing a crisis of trust. Once regarded as a pillar of fairness and justice, the police force has been rocked by a wave of scandals, reviews, and damning reports that expose deep-seated issues.

From racism and misogyny to excessive force and dishonesty, misconduct within the police has become a national conversation.For victims of police misconduct, the impact can be devastating — emotionally, physically, and financially.

Whether it’s a wrongful arrest, excessive use of force, false imprisonment, or racial discrimination, individuals have the right to challenge police behaviour and seek compensation.

Police Misconduct: A crisis of trust in the UK Police Force

Public confidence in the police force is facing a serious crisis. In recent years, one scandal after another has exposed shocking examples of police misconduct. The latest BBC Panorama  investigation revealed Metropolitan Police officers engaging in racist and misogynistic behaviour, openly joking about using excessive force, and even discussing falsifying statements to cover up brutality.

This disturbing exposé follows the Baroness Casey report (2023), which concluded that the Met Police is institutionally racist, misogynistic, and homophobic. Other reports have uncovered unjustified undercover tactics, and the courts have convicted serving officers of serious crimes including rape, sexual assault, and even murder.

The statistics are equally alarming. In the year ending 31 March 2024, a total of 1,698 police officers in England and Wales were referred to formal misconduct proceedings — a 31% increase compared with the previous year.

It is clear that public trust in policing, particularly in the Met, is at an all-time low.

Duncan Burtwell from our Actions Against the Police team commented

The BBC Panorama was upsetting and extremely disappointing. I’m not confident that those familiar with what goes on inside police stations will have found it particularly surprising.

Police regulations require all officers to report, challenge or take action against the conduct of colleagues which has fallen below the Standards of Professional Behaviour. I’ve no doubt that this is extremely difficult in reality, there are practical problems and obvious conflicting interests at play.

 

The financial cost of Police misconduct

The financial impact of misconduct is also significant. Freedom of Information (FOI) data shows that the Metropolitan Police’s compensation payouts for misconduct claims have more than tripled in just two years.

And this is just the compensation payouts. They do not factor in the Met Police’s legal costs which would undoubtedly double these figures and in 2023-24 were estimated at an additional £15m alone.

These payouts include claims for

  • Excessive force
  • False evidence
  • Misapplication of the law
  • Neglect

A case in point

The cases below provide a stark reminder why police accountability is essential. Wrongful arrests cause immense trauma, particularly for vulnerable individuals, and must be challenged through the legal system. Dan Rubenstein from our Actions Against the Police team commented

There have been effectively 14 years of budget cuts and staffing shortages, which must cause the average PC to be tempted to cut corners. This trend has in my view been amplified by a background of racial stereotyping on the part of officers that has harmfully informed their practice of day-to-day policing. It’s highlighted in a number of the cases that have come into the firm. However, behind every statistic is a real person whose life has been deeply affected. These aren’t just numbers — they represent people who have been wronged, families left traumatised, and communities who’ve lost faith in the very people meant to protect them. 

 

CASE STUDY 1

Young black female arrested for allegedly obstructing a drug search. Significant force was used against her during her detention on the street, including multiple punches being delivered by officers.

She was taken to Lewisham police station in restraints and subjected to a strip search by force at the police station, (including further punches) involving officers cutting her clothes off. Male officers were present during part of this search.

An officer who on their own admission had punched our client 8 times was found not to be guilty of misconduct. The civil claim continues.

CASE STUDY 2

A female client subject to suspected harassment by their ex-partner reported him to police. Upon his being interviewed and released he sent a further gloating email to her, which she again reported to police. 

Police did nothing about this (other than “logging it”) and then when the ex-partner made an allegation against her, police arrested her. 

Our client was not even interviewed after arrest as the officers tasked with interviewing her took the view that there was no offence to answer to.

Our client’s complaint was upheld in respect of the one officer involved who has now left the force.

CASE STUDY 3

Young black male was arrested ‘matching’ the description of an alleged phone snatch, where the alleged victim was unknown, had provided no details and not spoken to police. He was also arrested on suspicion of theft of a bike, which was his own and where he was able to provide a receipt! They found savings at his home and seized them on the suspicion that they were the proceeds of crime.

In due course he was released on the basis that there was no evidence of an offence in relation to the alleged phone snatch and that our client did not in fact match the descriptions that had been given.

We are shortly to issue proceedings and will be raising as an aggravating feature of the claim that our client as a young black male has been treated in this way by the Met Police.

Why the conduct of the police matters

The Panorama investigation has already prompted Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to order an IOPC inquiry. But we must ask: is this truly just one custody suite, or the tip of the iceberg?

The UK police force faces a crisis of trust. While policing is undoubtedly a difficult and dangerous job, this cannot justify racism, misogyny, violence, or dishonesty. The public mood is shifting — and officers are no longer seen as “above the law.” Instead, they are increasingly being held accountable.

Emma Lewis, Barrister & Director at MK Law reflected:

“I am very disappointed by the statistics above and the clear racism that still exists in this day and age. We need to make sure all police officers are held accountable. We know that for those who have been mistreated by the police it can have long-lasting effects. Although nothing can rectify this wrong, they at the very least deserve adequate compensation.”

Final thoughts

The crisis in policing is undeniable. With misconduct referrals rising, payouts tripling, and public trust eroding, the pressure for reform has never been greater. But systemic change takes time — and in the meantime, victims must know they have legal rights.

If you have been affected by police misconduct, don’t suffer in silence. Contact MK Law today to find out how we can help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1️⃣ What is classed as police misconduct?
Police misconduct occurs when an officer acts unlawfully or breaches professional standards. This may include using excessive force, making a wrongful arrest, falsifying evidence, discrimination, or violating your human rights.

2️⃣ Can I sue the police for misconduct?
Yes. You can bring a civil claim against the police if you have suffered harm because of misconduct. Claims can be made for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, assault, malicious prosecution, or discrimination.

3️⃣ How much compensation can I claim for police misconduct?
Compensation varies depending on the severity of the misconduct, the harm caused, and any financial losses. Awards can range from a few thousand pounds for short-term distress to substantial settlements for serious injury or long-term trauma.

4️⃣ How long do I have to make a claim?
In most cases, you have up to three years from the date of the incident (or from when you became aware of it) to start your claim. However, it’s always best to seek legal advice as soon as possible.