Consultation on Freemasonry becoming a declarable association

The Met has begun a consultation on adding Freemasonry to its declarable associations policy.

The consultation, of officers and staff, the Police Federation and other representative bodies, will seek views on the move.

Officers and staff already have to declare any association with an individual, group or organisation that might compromise their integrity, pose a risk to operations or intelligence or that could damage the reputation of the Met and, as a result, public confidence. Doing so allows for risks to be assessed, managed and mitigated.

There are currently only a few specific examples of declarable associations set out in the policy. These include people with criminal convictions, those who have been dismissed from policing, and lawful professions such as private investigation or journalism.

Commander Simon Messinger, Professionalism, said: “We are now consulting on a proposal to add to that list involvement in Freemasonry - and potentially other organisations that could call impartiality into question or give rise to conflict of loyalties - and are keen to hear the views of our officers and staff.

“This does not prevent any member of staff joining the Freemasons or another similar organisation but it means we will know who is a part.

“Strengthening the trust both our own staff and London’s communities have in the Met is a core part of our New Met for London plan and ambitions.”

In 2021, the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel recommended that officers and staff should be required to declare membership of organisations, including the Freemasons, that could present a potential conflict of interest. Similar recommendations have been made at various points in the past.

Until now the Met had been of the view that the existing policy on declarable associations was sufficient. However, we continue to receive intelligence reports and general expressions of concern from officers and staff who worry about the impact that membership of such an organisation could be having on investigations, promotions and misconduct. The number of such reports is relatively low, but they must still be taken seriously.

Senior officers will also be discussing the proposed policy change with the United Grand Lodge of England which is the headquarters of Freemasonry in England and Wales.

The consultation also provides an opportunity for officers and staff to highlight any views or concerns about any other organisation that operates in a similar way to the Freemasons.