Priti Patel writes in a letter to Sir Mark Rowley: “It is absolutely vital that trust and credibility are restored and that visible, responsive policing that reduces crime is at the forefront. “I expect the Metropolitan Police under your leadership to get the basics right and deliver the first class service expected of them.” Sir Mark starts the job a week after the controversial departure of his predecessor Dame Cressida Dick, who quit after falling out with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, although a recent independent report backed her resignation. The home secretary writes: “I also expect you, as Commissioner, to promote better leadership and higher standards at every level across the force.” Under Dame Cressida, the Metropolitan Police has been accused of a series of scandals that have led to questions about its culture and standards. the rape and murder of Sarah Everard by off-duty PC Wayne Couzens, the taking and sharing of photographs of two murdered sisters by police officers, the racist and misogynistic exchange of text messages by officers at Charing Cross police station and the investigation into the stripping of a young black schoolgirl. Image: Mark Rowley was a former assistant commissioner The force is one of six taken into special measures by the Inspectorate of Police and Police Fire and Rescue Services, which recently condemned policing in England and Wales for poor performance, particularly in burglaries, robberies and other offenses. ‘Lack of’ Ms Patel writes: “This report found that in too many cases the Met, as a force, fails to get the basics right when dealing with these crimes, which cause huge public distress. “It is deeply disappointing and unacceptable that many police forces are falling short. “You know my point that there is a real demand across policing to raise the bar on standards and get the basics right. “As the biggest force in the country, it is right for the Met to lead by example in how to deal with crimes of this nature and also fight crime.” Read more: Met third child strip probe under investigation, warden says Who is Sir Mark Rowley? Ms Patel also tells the new commissioner she expects him to make sure the Met meets its target of 4,557 new officer hires and boosts non-police staff by March next year. She adds in her letter: “This will undoubtedly be a difficult time for the force, but I have every confidence that under your leadership these challenges can be overcome.” Sir Mark retired from Scotland Yard in 2017 as an assistant commissioner after leading the Counter-Terrorism Command and being beaten to the top job by Dame Cressida. He was appointed in July and said at the time: “Our mission is to lead the renewal of consent policing, which has eroded so sharply in recent years as trust and confidence have fallen. “We will deliver more trust, less crime and high standards for London and beyond, and work with London’s diverse communities as we together renew the uniquely British invention of ‘consent policing’.
