In January, I wrote to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to raise serious concerns about the retention of officers’ DNA and fingerprint records. My letter highlighted that a significant number of officers were missing from the Met’s biometrics databases, which is essential both for effective crime detection and for maintaining public trust and accountability. I stressed that all serving officers, regardless of when they joined, should have their DNA and fingerprints retained to prevent gaps that could compromise investigations and reassure Londoners in light of past misconduct cases.
The issue has now received broader attention in the media, including coverage by the BBC this month.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20z882gg07o
This reporting underscores the importance of transparency and progress in this area, and I will continue to hold the Met Police accountable to ensure that all officers’ biometrics are properly retained. It is vital for public safety and for confidence in our policing system that these steps are followed through fully.
Please read my letter in full here:
Dear Commissioner,
First, I would like to wish you and your team a Happy New Year and I hope you are well.
I am writing to request an update regarding the retention of Metropolitan Police officers’ DNA profiles, following our correspondence on the issue just over a year ago. This is an issue that is very important to me, and I believe it is important to Londoners.
I am extremely concerned by the recent news reports that 131 officers and staff in the Met Police committed crimes or misconduct after they were not properly vetted. I believe this only further underlines the urgent need to ensure all Met officer’s DNA profiles are held.
As I have said before, I believe it is essential that all serving officers, regardless of when they were employed, should have their DNA retained on the database. I am pleased that we were able to agree that this step is important for the purpose of crime elimination for officers, when fingerprints or DNA are inadvertently left at a crime scene.
In addition, I have long said there is also a responsibility to reassure the public following the many serious examples of police officer misconduct in London in recent years. To have all officers’ DNA and fingerprints is a vital step for accountability, transparency and trust.
As you know, I was alarmed by a previous report that said ‘around half of the Met Police’s 33,000 officers could be missing from its own DNA and fingerprint databases’. I am aware that progress has been made since then, and that a comprehensive plan was put in place to address this, for which you expected to see a proposal for delivery.
In our previous correspondence, you acknowledged that there remains a gap between the number of officers and the number of biometrics held. You stated that the number of fingerprints held related to MPS officers was 32,080 and DNA profiles was 23,398 – and you noted that the combined headcount of officers was 35,085.
Now that over a year has passed, please can you update me on the status of this work?
I would like to know the progress that has been made in the last year, including the latest data on the number of fingerprints and DNA now held. Please update me on your latest assessment on the gap between the biometrics held and the total number of officers.
I am grateful for your assistance and transparency on this matter thus far and I look forward to continuing our constructive working relationship on issues concerning Londoners.
Warm regards,