Overview
- Sir Mark Rowley’s “Strengthening Leadership” memo, co-signed by Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes, proposes pay-offs to provide a dignified exit for leaders judged not willing or able to change.
- The letter, sent to officers between chief inspector and chief superintendent, says most recipients are expected to stay and will receive support and training to meet standards.
- The Metropolitan Police Federation condemned the proposal as a coercive message to loyal officers and said it will formally raise concerns with the commissioner.
- Scotland Yard has asked the Home Office to reinstate a regulatory power allowing compulsory retirement on efficiency grounds, with no assurance yet that ministers will agree.
- The move comes during an ongoing culture and misconduct overhaul that has seen more than 1,400 officers and staff removed since 2022, and follows further sackings linked to a BBC Panorama undercover probe at Charing Cross.