By James Simons-
Dishonesty topped the list of reasons for dismissal, having occurred in 126 different occasions, followed by discriminatory behaviour, which was established to have occurred in 95 situations, then unlawful access of disclosure or information occurred 82 times, with inappropriate communication (81) and sexual offences or misconduct occurring 81 and 72 times respectively.
The majority of officers dismissed were police constables ,(640 in total) the barred list applies to all ranks, including one chief officer and two chief superintendents, added this year. Thirty-one officers from the Special Constabulary were also dismissed and added to the list.
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Over 730 police officers were dismissed and placed on the college of policing barred list in the past year. Altogether, 735 officers were put on the list in the 12 months to March 31, 2025
The college of policing which revealed the statistics said the latest annual figures, which cover the 43 Home Office police forces in England and Wales, show a “determined and robust” effort to take firmer action against unacceptable conduct.
The Metropolitan Police Service had the highest number of dismissals (183), with Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley stating the force was engaged in the “biggest corruption clear-out in British policing history”. Over 1,149 reasons recorded for the dismissals, with several officers having committed several breaches.
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It was followed by Greater Manchester Police (43) and Thames Valley Police (40). The college said there were 1,149 reasons recorded for the dismissals, with several officers having committed several breaches.
Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding, director of Operational Standards at the College of Policing, said: “These figures show a determined and robust effort from police forces to rid policing of officers whose behaviour falls below the high standards that we, and the public, expect from them.
“It goes without saying that any time an officer’s behaviour breaches professional standards, or even strays into criminality, it leaves a permanent stain on the reputation of policing. But the public can have confidence that their police forces are quickly identifying and dealing with unacceptable behaviour from officers and staff, who, through being on the barred list, will never work in policing again.
“The message is clear: our policing system is built on upholding our Code of Ethics, on courage, respect and empathy, and public service, and there is no place in our police service for anyone whose behaviour goes against these values.”
Since its introduction on December 15, 2017, a total of 2,834 officers have been added to the barred list. The barred list is used by police forces in England and Wales, as well as several public bodies, to ensure that officers who are dismissed under police conduct or performance regulations cannot work in policing again. This includes individuals who decide to retire or resign during an investigation.
The college says it aims to promote “greater transparency” in the way that police forces deal with and address misconduct in their ranks.
The statistics makes grim reading, particularly for a force central to the solving of crimes, and in whom the public need to put their trust.
Today, the IOPC also confirmed that it had begun 10 new investigations into South Yorkshire Police’s (SYP) past handling of non-recent allegations of child sexual abuse (CSA) in Rotherham.
We have begun the independent investigations following complaint referrals from the force between July and September 2025. The complaints were submitted by a solicitors’ firm – on behalf of women who are complaining SYP failed to take action to protect them from abuse when they were children.
The recorded complaints centre around victim-survivors being abused by members of the public who were known by the police and that SYP failed to carry out sufficient investigative actions and adequately safeguard victim-survivors or act upon information that was provided.
IOPC Director Emily Barry said: “When we published our overarching report on the Operation Linden investigations in 2022 into how South Yorkshire Police investigated reports of child sexual exploitation and abuse in Rotherham, we acknowledged that there may be further complaints and that is why we have always wanted to ensure that any victim-survivors felt able to come forward.
“It is entirely understandable that all those affected, as well as the wider public, will have concerns about these further complaints so that is why it’s vital we ensure they are thoroughly and robustly investigated.
“We have informed all parties of our decision to independently investigate these matters and we will ensure complainants are kept informed as the investigations progress. We encourage any victim-survivors or witnesses, who are yet to come forward, to make contact.”
The independent investigations we have begun are separate to the IOPC’s directed investigation into non-recent child sex abuse complaints from victim-survivors against former South Yorkshire Police (SYP) officers which is being carried out by the National Crime Agency (NCA), under our direction and control.
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