London Police Force Says It Will Take Years to Remove Officers Accused of Corruption and Misconduct

LONDON (AP) Hundreds of London police officers are facing dismissal as the department steps up efforts to root out those who are corrupt after a series of scandals eroded public trust and a scathing report found it was institutionally racist, homophobic and misogynistic.

The Metropolitan Police Service said Tuesday that more than 1,000 officers are currently suspended or on restricted duties. That means the public is likely to be bombarded with stories of police misconduct over the next few years as the department works through the backlog of cases and around 60 officers face disciplinary proceedings each month.

This is going to take one, two or more years to root out those who are corrupt, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said as he updated reporters on efforts to reform the department.

Londons police force, known by many as Scotland Yard, is under immense pressure to fire officers accused of misconduct and change its male-dominated culture after a serving officer kidnapped and murdered a young woman two years ago and another was convicted of a series of sexual assaults. An independent review found that the department had failed to properly vet and train officers, and had allowed many to remain on the job even after they were accused of domestic abuse or racial harassment.