An internal review by consultancy HR Rewired has found that anti-Black racism is “baked into” the Metropolitan Police’s HR systems, influencing decisions around recruitment, promotion, and grievance handling. The report, completed in July 2025 but not yet made public, concluded that the Met’s stated ambition of becoming an “anti-racist organisation” was being undermined by its own structures and culture. Black officers and staff were reportedly given coded feedback such as “not quite ready” or told to “be a bit friendlier”, while those who raised concerns about racism were labelled “reputational risks”. Additionally, complaints were often downplayed as “banter” or interpersonal issues, and staff who spoke up were accused of “playing the race card”.
The Met has acknowledged the findings and announced plans to appoint Shereen Daniels, managing director of HR Rewired, as an expert adviser. It has also pledged to publish the review and gather feedback from stakeholders. A spokesperson stated that the force still faces “systemic, cultural, leadership and regulatory failings” but is working to become an “actively anti-racist organisation”. The revelations follow multiple prior investigations, including the Casey review in 2023 and the Macpherson report in 1999, both of which identified deep-rooted institutional discrimination within the force.
