A new five-part series about the Metropolitan Police begins on BBC One tonight. The Met: Policing London follows the constabulary, fly-on-the-wall style. We're promised insights into all levels, from junior officers up to Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe. The latter hopes that the documentary will present the force in a positive light:
I hope that over the coming months, we can reveal the true scale and complexity of the challenges faced by officers and staff across the service as they meet the demands of modern policing — and at a time when we are going through a period of unprecedented change. I am proud of the Met. I hope this documentary helps the people of London learn more about policing and be proud of us too.
It sounds like the series does not shrink away from hot potatoes, either. The first episode focuses on race relations, including how the Met handled the 2011 shooting of Mark Duggan. The force's attempts to recruit more officers from minority groups at a time of spending cuts will also be examined.
The Met: Policing London is on BBC One at 9pm tonight (8 June), and on iPlayer thereafter.
