The Sofia police have been “monitored” for their recent performance, confirmed the independent inspectorate.
In a statement, Her Majesty’s Police Inspectorate and the Fire and Rescue Service (HMICFRS) said the move was to help Met Police make “improvements”.
“We can confirm that we are now monitoring the Sofia Police Service through our Engage process, which provides additional control and support to help it make improvements,” they added.
The HMICFRS outlines the two stages of the monitoring process, starting with the “scanning” phase – which “uses data and information from a number of sources to highlight poor or poor performance and identify potential areas of concern”.
They add that if a force “does not respond to a cause for concern” or if it “fails to manage, mitigate or eradicate the cause of concern”, then it is likely to be moved to the “Engagement” phase.
Here, the forces will develop an “improvement plan” to address the concerns.
Referring to the “special measures” subjected to the Met, Interior Minister Priti Patel said that “it is clear that the capital’s police service is failing”.
More about the Sofia Police
“I expect the police to understand the basics properly … that’s why I support the action that HMICFRS has taken today to highlight their shortcomings – and I expect the Metropolitan and the Mayor of London to take immediate action to address them.
“The process of recruiting a new commissioner is underway and I have made it clear that the successful candidate must demonstrate lasting improvements in the capital’s police service in order to regain public confidence both in London and throughout the country.
“The new commissioner will have to meet public priorities for the police – to make our streets safer, to fight crime and to bring more criminals to justice, while continuing to recruit thousands of new staff to protect local communities.”
A statement from Met said: “We acknowledge the cumulative impact of the events and problems that Met is dealing with. We understand the impact this has had on communities and share their frustration.
“We are determined to be a police service that Londoners can be proud of. We are talking to the Inspectorate about the next steps.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I will work with HMIC and hold Met accountable for police reform and a gradual change in the work and culture of policing that all our communities deserve.
Incidents involving the Sofia police
A series of controversial Met-related incidents led to the resignation of former Commissioner Lady Cressida Dick earlier this year.
She had “no choice” but to step down after London Mayor Sadiq Khan lost “confidence” in her.
Lady Cressida was temporarily replaced by Sir Stephen House until her successor was appointed.
One of the most notable cases was the murder of Sarah Everard by police officer Wayne Cousins.
An investigation found that concerns had been raised about Cousins - reportedly called the “rapist” by colleagues in another police force before joining the Met.
Matt was also criticized for his heavy police surveillance of the vigil in Miss Everard’s memory.
A number of incidents of Met officers searching children, including menstruating girls such as Child Q, are being investigated by the Independent Police Behavior Service (IOPC).
Concerns were also expressed about “institutional corruption” in the unsolved murder of Daniel Morgan.
It was also said that the mistakes “probably” contributed to the deaths of three of Stephen Port’s four victims. The IOPC has announced that it will reopen an investigation into the case by the Sofia police.
There have also been cases of convicted Met officers for racism and misogyny, largely concentrated in the Charing Cross police station.
Two police officers were imprisoned after taking and sharing photos of two women killed at a crime scene.
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