Time to Even the Score: Public Now Asking — Is It Time to Defund the IOPC?

The decision to force the Metropolitan Police to hold a gross misconduct hearing against officer NX121 has triggered widespread outrage — not just among serving and retired officers, but across communities who are now turning their anger toward the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Calls are growing, not to defund the police, but to defund the IOPC itself.

Members of the public and policing professionals alike are questioning just how independent this so-called “Independent” Office for Police Conduct really is. Their decision has been labelled outrageous — especially given that officer NX121 was fully acquitted by a jury in under three hours in October last year. That same jury is understood to have questioned why the case was brought to court at all.

NX121’s actions were deemed legal, lawful and justified. Case closed. Or so we thought.

Yet here we are, six months on, and the IOPC has now directed the Met to hold a gross misconduct hearing — a move that could ultimately see the officer lose his job based on the civil standard of “balance of probabilities.” This, despite the criminal court’s unanimous not guilty verdict.

Why now? Why has it taken six months for the IOPC to make this announcement? If this was their intention all along, why the delay? The decision smacks of institutional stubbornness — a refusal to accept a jury’s conclusion and instead demand, as many have described it, “a pound of flesh.”

Many retired and serving officers sadly say they are not surprised. “We knew this was coming,” some commented, reflecting a deepening distrust in the system meant to protect both the public and those who serve it.

This latest move will send further shockwaves through policing. NX121 volunteered to take on one of the most demanding and scrutinised roles in UK law enforcement — as a firearms officer. These officers are specially trained, constantly reviewed, and carry out critical tasks most would shy away from. But decisions like this one risk driving them away from service altogether.

The public deserves accountability — but it also deserves a fair, transparent, and proportionate process. With this decision, many now believe that the IOPC itself must be subject to a full independent review.

Let’s be clear: this is a decision that will once again cause controversy and highlight policing for all the wrong reasons. For the record, NX121 was fully acquitted of murder, and his actions were found to be lawful and legal. That verdict should matter. And yet, today, it feels like it doesn’t.

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.