Panorama and the Metropolitan Police: Lessons in Culture and Accountability

The BBC Panorama programme last night made for uncomfortable but essential viewing (especially as a HR professional).

It revealed deeply concerning behaviour within the Metropolitan Police’s custody operations, including discriminatory remarks, physical assaults, inappropriate conduct, and failures in management.

For many watching, the most shocking element was not just the behaviour itself, but how such attitudes and actions could go unchecked for so long in one of the UK’s most scrutinised institutions.

From an HR perspective, this highlights the dangers of a poor workplace culture that is allowed to take root. When misconduct is normalised, when misogyny and abuse is "the norm", when leaders fail to act, or when staff feel unable to challenge behaviour, organisations face serious reputational and legal risks.

For the Met, this has escalated into a crisis of trust with both the public and its own workforce.

While most organisations will not face the scale of public scrutiny experienced by the police, the principles remain the same. Employers must have clear policies, effective training, safe reporting mechanisms, and above all, a leadership team that actively models the right behaviours and culture.

Silver Star HR helps businesses to:

• Identify risks early – through policy audits and cultural health checks.

• Address issues quickly – by guiding managers through sensitive employee relations matters.

• Protect the organisation – ensuring compliance, fair processes, and safeguarding reputation.

  
  

The Panorama exposé is a stark reminder that poor culture left unchallenged can become corrosive.

By taking proactive steps, businesses can protect their people, their reputation, and their future.

At Silver Star HR, our role is to stand beside leaders, equipping them with the tools to build positive, accountable, and resilient workplace cultures.