Seasoned Met specialist crime detectives 'threaten to quit over forced demotions back to boroughs'

EXPERIENCED murder and flying squad detectives are threatening to leave Britain's biggest police force as it tries to address a dire shortage of borough sergeants by forcing them to take what they see as "demotions."

Sources told Essex News and Investigations there has been mutiny among the Met Police's Specialist Crime Command, for several weeks as force top brass try to convince seasoned detective sergeants, who have been involved in murder and organised crime probes, to return to one of the Capitals 12 boroughs to spearhead burglary and robbery investigations.

One source close to the Met said: "No one who has been investigating murders and organised crime wants to go back as a borough DS - they see it as a demotion.

"Loads of DSs said they would rather resign then go back to borough earlier this year and the plan was shelved but it was brought back this month when a memo went round saying people would have to volunteer.

After weeks of negotiations the Met has confirmed if it does not get about 70 DSs from Specialist Crime to volunteer for the moves, they will select those that have to.

Former Met Police DCI Dave McKelvey said: "When will they learn that you cannot rob Peter to pay Paul?

"This will decimate London’s already dwindling capability to investigate serious and organised crime, gun enabled crime and murders. It will ultimately lead to more deaths on the streets by gang members linked to drug dealing, kidnappings, armed robberies.

"You will also see an exodus of experienced detectives from policing causing an ever increasing young inexperienced and unmotivated workforce."

A Met Police spokesman said: "We have a duty to make sure we have the right balance of skills and experience across our detective teams, to deliver a quality service for Londoners.

His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary has called out the need for increased supervision within our boroughs, and across the Met we have some amazing and skilled experienced detectives who will bring huge benefits to these teams.

"We have asked all Detective Sergeants who have not worked within a borough for over three years to volunteer to move into local policing. If we cannot fill our circa 70 posts with volunteers, we will use a selection process to identify DSs to move.

"Over the last three months our senior leaders have been talking to their DSs to explain the need for balance of skills across the Met and the timelines we are working to. This is not a decision made lightly, but it is important so we can deliver the reform we have committed to through the New Met for London plan, which is a priority for everyone in the Met. We will maintain our operational resilience across both local policing and all other detective functions in the Met."