Final Report of the Morris Inquiry: The Case for Change

THE CASE FOR CHANGE
“The primary function of a constable is the
preservation of the Queen’s Peace.”
Christopher Fox, President of ACPO
The Inquiry’s work
2.1 The Inquiry was commissioned by the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) and
its remit was to inquire into professional standards and employment matters in the
Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). We were asked to focus, in particular, on the
MPS’ policies, procedures and practices for handling complaints and allegations
against individuals, grievances and workplace disputes, as well as Employment
Tribunal claims. We were also asked to identify lessons to be learnt from recent high
profile cases.
2.2 It was a challenging task and our evidence gathering process lasted for over six
months. We received in excess of 1,400 documents and heard extensive oral
evidence. A wide range of stakeholders contributed to our work. These included the
Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner and other senior officers in the MPS, as
well as the MPA itself.
2.3 We also heard from the Police Federation (National and Metropolitan), the
Trades Unions operating in the MPS, the National and Metropolitan Black Police
Associations, other staff associations operating in the MPS, a number of national
bodies, other public sector organisations, and the private sector.
2.4 We are grateful to them all but we are particularly grateful to those individuals
who took the time to share their experiences with us. We have anonymised their
contributions and they appear either as IND 1 – 51 or as Mr / Ms AA – PP.
Individuals in the latter category gave oral evidence at one of our hearings.
2.5 We are grateful for the Commissioner’s personal support for our work, his
encouragement to all MPS personnel that they should co-operate with the Inquiry
and his determination “that the inquiry will contribute to a different MPS – one that is
better able to meet the challenges of policing a complex modern society.” We hope that this
report lives up to his confidence that “lasting improvements to policing in London and to
the reputation of the Service will result.”
2.6 We have been out on patrol with officers from Lambeth Borough Operational
Command Unit, visited 14 London police stations, the Hendon Training Centre,
New Scotland Yard and other central London MPS buildings, as well as spending
a day each with Greater Manchester Police, Merseyside Police and West Midlands
Police. We found those visits invaluable and would place on record our thanks to
all those who worked so hard to make them a success.
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