Final Report of the Morris Inquiry: The Case for Change

CHAIR’S FOREWORD
approach we were determined not to indulge in a culture of blame, yet we would
be fearless in challenging what we thought was wrong.
In hearing evidence we made it clear that we wanted to hear what was good about
the MPS as well as what was wrong, and we sought suggestions for improvement.
To that end, our approach was inquisitorial and not adversarial.
We were not appointed to make findings of guilt or innocence against particular
individuals nor to revisit the past or to dwell on what may be past failings. When
we examined the actions of individuals it was to identify problems with, or defects
in, the procedures or processes that the MPS has in place. Our aim was to find ways
in which they might be improved for the future.
There was a common misapprehension that our Inquiry was about race. We have
considered discrimination issues as part of our work, and some of our
recommendations focus on the way in which black and ethnic minority officers and
staff are treated and managed. We hope that our recommendations will help the
MPS manage difference in its widest sense.
Whilst we can see much which is good about the MPS, we are nonetheless extremely
concerned by the lack of direct accountability at senior levels within the organisation;
it appears to us that there is no sanction for getting it badly wrong irrespective of the
consequences to the organisation or to those on the receiving end.
We believe that workplace relationships are the key to good policing and that the
community will benefit from a Service that is well motivated and better trained.
My colleagues and I have spent nearly a year on this Inquiry. We are grateful to all
those who have contributed to our work and for the evidence we received. We saw
many individuals who were proud to work for the MPS and committed to keeping
London and Londoners safe. Much of this report consists of what they told us;
their voices resonate throughout the pages, and they deserve to be heard.
Our work is now finished, and it will be for others to decide what action to take on
our recommendations. However, we hope that our report can make a positive
contribution to improving professional standards and workplace relationships and,
by extension, the quality of policing in London.
It was a privilege to serve for which we thank our commissioning body, the MPA.
Yours sincerely
Sir William Morris
Chair of the Inquiry
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