IT IS more than two years since the review by Baroness Casey reported a culture of racism, homophobia, and misogyny in the Metropolitan Police Force (Comment, 24 March 2023) — failings that the Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, denied were at an institutional level. A BBC investigation into the allegations at one particular police station paints a very grim picture, and not one that supports Sir Mark’s previous optimism.
Panorama: Undercover in the police (BBC1, Wednesday) is the courageous work of the journalist Rory Bibb, who went undercover at Charing Cross custody suite for seven months, working as a designated detention officer. He secretly filmed atrocious actions by police officers, including vile sexist remarks, perniciously racist attitudes, and a revelling in violent and aggressive behaviour that went well beyond reasonable force.
What struck me the most, other than the nerve shown by Mr Bibb, was just how tightly closed an environment the offers’ culture was, and how hard it was to infiltrate. Working in conditions that are stressful and dangerous will foster a survivalist and isolationist mentality, which is distrustful of outsiders who are unfamiliar with its pressures, but this had clearly tipped over into something ugly.
What is uncovered is a toxic culture characterised by unsubtle coded references to signify group belonging, which served to foster trust and create an environment in which unsayable things could be said safely. This was manifested by a shared language of misogyny and racism, framed as harmless banter. It is depressing that this kind of behaviour has not been driven out of the Met: it has just been driven underground.
First scheduled to be shown in August, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne: Coming home (BBC 1, Thursday) was delayed at the family’s request, owing to Ozzy’s death on 22 July. This last reality show about the famous Birmingham rock star and his family depicts the last three years of his life as he and Sharon sell up in the United States and prepare to move home to the UK to live, and to perform in one last gig at Villa Park football stadium.
Like all Ozzy Osbourne TV shows, this is vulnerable, honest, and hilariously real, with a sad poignancy to it, made more resonant than ever because the viewer knows exactly how the story ends.
Despite the oddities and eccentricities of this famous family, there is something ordinary about their story, particularly the enduring relationship between husband and wife. “What are you most looking forward to?” Sharon asks. “Just being with you,” Ozzy replies. This was a man who was flawed and made many mistakes, but he also gave a great deal of pleasure to many people, even in the last chapter of his life. In the final estimation, he was loved.