Sexual Misconduct and Discrimination Complaints Against Police Officers Have Doubled in Five Years

Strategic Insights -

As the highest number on record in a single year, forces received 404 complaints for sexual misconduct in 2024-25. Sex discrimination claims also saw a significant jump, with a record number of complaints - 645 - in 2023-24 alone. This marks a 103% increase in allegations of sexual misconduct compared to the 54% rise in overall police complaints over the past five years. Despite this, more than half of complaints have gone uninvestigated, sparking concerns about the culture within police forces.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of complaints for sexual misconduct against police officers has doubled in five years, with 404 complaints in 2024-25.
  • Sex discrimination claims have also seen a significant jump, with 645 complaints in 2023-24.
  • The majority of sexual conduct complaints - 70% - were for sexual assault in 2023-24.
  • There were 412 complaints alleging police abuse of position for sexual purposes or to pursue inappropriate emotional relationships since 2020.
  • The Met Police had the highest number of sexual conduct complaints, but these make up a small fraction of all complaints against the force.
  • The increase in complaints is attributed to survivors feeling more able to report their experiences following high-profile cases, including the murder of Sarah Everard by off-duty police officer Wayne Couzens.
  • Operation Soteria, launched in 2021, aimed to improve the investigation of rape, and the IOPC's "You Have a Voice" campaign have been credited with increasing reporting around crimes.
  • The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) received 1,499 complaints about the sexual conduct of officers since 2020, and 2,320 sex discrimination complaints.
  • Forces have received 412 complaints alleging police abuse of position for sexual purposes or to pursue emotional relationships since 2020.

Statistics:

  • 404 - The number of complaints for sexual misconduct in 2024-25.
  • 645 - The record number of sex discrimination complaints in 2023-24.
  • 103% - The increase in allegations of sexual misconduct compared to the 54% rise in overall police complaints over the past five years.
  • 70% - The percentage of sexual conduct complaints that were for sexual assault in 2023-24.
  • 412 - The number of complaints alleging police abuse of position for sexual purposes or to pursue emotional relationships since 2020.
  • 51% - The percentage of complaints that went uninvestigated between 2020 and 2024.

Sources:

  • "Sexual misconduct and discrimination complaints against police officers have doubled in five years, but half of claims have gone uninvestigated" - The Independent.
  • Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) figures on police complaints.
  • BBC's Panorama footage exposing a culture of misogyny in the Metropolitan Police.