Met Police Under Scrutiny Following Recruitment Standards Review
The Metropolitan Police Service (Met) has initiated a comprehensive review of its vetting procedures in response to a notable decrease in refusal rates for applicants between 2020 and 2022. This change follows a series of high-profile misconduct cases involving officers, raising concerns about the integrity of the force.
Operation Jorica Report Findings
Published on 8 January 2026, the final report from the review, termed Operation Jorica, highlighted that the Met was “under considerable pressure” to meet staffing and diversity targets, particularly during the Police Uplift Programme. The report indicated that this pressure has had negative implications for the integrity of the South’s recruitment standards.
Deviation from Professional Norms
Throughout the decade leading up to April 2023, the review revealed that the Met diverged from the Authorised Professional Practice regarding the vetting of new hires and the re-evaluation of current personnel. This raises significant questions about the effectiveness of the vetting process during this period.
Upcoming Meeting on Operation Jorica
In light of the findings, the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee is scheduled to hold a session with the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime to discuss Operation Jorica, alongside reviewing homicide statistics in London and the electrification of the Met’s vehicle fleet. The session will feature:
- Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime
- Amana Humayun, Chief Financial Officer, Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime
Event Details
The meeting is set to take place on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, at 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE. Attendance is open to both media representatives and members of the public. Additionally, the proceedings will be available for viewing live or via a later webcast on YouTube.
Contextual Background
This scrutiny comes amid ongoing concerns regarding police accountability and effectiveness in the UK. The Met’s recent challenges highlight the critical need for robust vetting processes to ensure that ethical standards are upheld, particularly in a period of increasing public scrutiny of law enforcement agencies.
Source: official statements, news agencies, and public reports.
https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/london-assembly-press-releases/met-under-considerable-pressure-over-its-vetting-processes
