Key Points
- Zoe Garbett, Hackney Green Party councillor, urges major reform to the Metropolitan Police following a report on ‘systematic racism’.
- The report by Dr Shereen Daniels concluded Met police culture makes racism ‘inevitable’.
- Daniels, founder of HR rewired, researched racism’s impact on black officers and communities for the Met Police Service.
- Garbett advocates for separating national and specialist policing from local police, with independent complaint oversight.
- Garbett questioned Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Mayor Sadiq Khan about the Met’s complaint system and power imbalances.
- BBC Panorama exposed racism, excessive force, and misconduct at Charing Cross police station, resulting in six officers being dismissed.
- Mayor Khan defended the independence of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) but Garbett remained critical.
- Garbett highlighted the delay and lack of independence in addressing the 2020 “Child Q” case in Hackney.
- She proposes civilian oversight of police disciplinary systems for better community trust.
- Garbett plans to run for Hackney Mayor in 2026 as the first Green Party candidate.
- She previously demanded Sir Mark Rowley’s resignation after he rejected the 2023 Casey Review findings of institutional racism and misogyny in the Met.
What has prompted the call to ‘break up the Met’?
As reported by Zoe Garbett, Hackney Green Party councillor, she has called for a fundamental overhaul of the Metropolitan Police after the publication of a report by Dr Shereen Daniels. Daniels, founding the advisory firm HR rewired, investigated how systemic racism affected black officers and staff and shaped the Met’s relationship with black communities. Her findings reveal a police culture where racism is ‘inevitable,’ highlighting a pervasive problem within the force.
Reacting on X, Garbett stated:
“ Break up the Met. Rethink how we keep each other safe.”
She called for a rethink of policing structures, suggesting that
“national and specialist functions could be handled by a separate body from local policing, and complaints and discipline overseen independently to rebuild trust.”
Her vision includes empowering local policing to answer directly to local people, focusing on violence prevention through investing in youth and community engagement.
What issues did the BBC Panorama reveal about the Met Police?
The BBC Panorama documentary featured on Charing Cross police station uncovered disturbing misconduct. The programme revealed officers boasting about excessive force, expressing openly racist and xenophobic views, including some suggesting immigrants should be shot, and dismissing rape complaints. Subsequently, six Charing Cross officers have been dismissed.
At a recent London Assembly meeting, Garbett questioned Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley on the service’s complaint procedures, citing that none of the officers exposed in the documentary had filed complaints beforehand, suggesting a lack of trust in the police complaints system.
How did Sir Mark Rowley and Mayor Sadiq Khan respond to these concerns?
At the assembly, Garbett asked both Rowley and Mayor Sadiq Khan whether the power imbalance in police-community relations discourages people from complaining. She referenced Daniels’ report, noting the Met’s complaints pathways are “not neutral mechanisms of accountability.”
Khan acknowledged the power imbalance but reaffirmed the role of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as an independent watchdog, stating its independence from Met Police is integral to maintaining accountability.
Why does Zoe Garbett reject Mayor Khan’s defence of police oversight?
According to coverage by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Garbett cited the 2020 case involving Child Q, a young black girl strip-searched in Hackney, as an example of the Metropolitan Police failing to act independently. The initial complaint was raised by a solicitor, but it took three months for the Met to refer the case to the IOPC. Garbett emphasised:
“I’m really interested if we could explore removing the police disciplinary system from the Metropolitan Police to look at having civilian oversight. Putting trust back in our communities that they have a properly independent place to report their complaints.”
This critique highlights ongoing mistrust within communities and the perceived inadequacies of current police accountability structures.
What is Zoe Garbett’s political ambition related to these issues?
Garbett, who currently represents Dalston ward on Hackney council, has announced her candidacy for the 2026 Hackney mayoral election. If successful, she would become the first Green Party Mayor of Hackney. This candidacy closely aligns with her campaign for police reform and stronger community-led safety initiatives.
Previously, Garbett publicly called for Sir Mark Rowley’s resignation after he refused to accept the 2023 Casey Review findings. The review, commissioned by the Met Police and conducted by Baroness Louise Casey, found the Metropolitan Police institutionally racist and misogynistic, echoing many of the concerns raised by Garbett and Daniels.
What was the outcome of the Casey Review and how did it impact calls for reform?
The Casey Review, completed in 2023, exposed entrenched racism and sexism within the Met Police, prompting calls for widespread changes in leadership and culture. Baroness Casey described the force as “institutionally racist and misogynistic,” a damning indictment that has fuelled demands for accountability.
Garbett’s calls for Sir Mark Rowley to resign stem directly from his rejection of these findings, demonstrating the depth of the crisis in trust between some council representatives and Met leadership.
How might separating responsibilities within the Met improve policing?
Garbett proposes that “national and specialist functions” such as counter-terrorism and major investigations be managed by a separate entity distinct from local police. This separation could reduce the Met’s centralised power and improve focus on local community needs.
By making local policing more responsive to local councils and residents, and placing complaints and disciplinary systems under independent civilian oversight, Garbett argues that trust can be rebuilt. Investing in youth services and community engagement would shift the emphasis from enforcement to prevention, addressing root causes of violence and systemic distrust.
What does the future hold for police reform and community relations in Hackney?
With Garbett gearing up for a mayoral run focused on these reforms, Hackney could see significant shifts in policing philosophy and governance if the Green Party candidate wins. Her approach blends policy change with community empowerment and transparency.
However, deep institutional resistance within the Met and political challenges remain significant hurdles. Trust rebuilding will demand ongoing effort from all stakeholders, including police leaders, elected officials, and local communities.
