Freemason officers deny bias amid Met Police disclosure rule

Freemason Officers Respond to New Met Police Policy

Freemason police officers have stated they did not receive special treatment due to their membership in the organization. They expressed concerns about their careers after the Met Police announced a new requirement for officers to disclose if they are Freemasons.

Officers claim they are being unfairly targeted for belonging to masonic lodges that focus on charity work. This is the first time they have spoken out since the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) sought an emergency injunction from the high court to stop the Met’s new policy.

In December, New Scotland Yard placed the organization on its ‘declarative associations’ list for staff, treating it similarly to previous criminal convictions. The force stated that concerns arose during a consultation about whether membership could affect investigations, promotions, and misconduct.

Background of the Policy Change

The Met’s decision was recommended in 2021 by the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel, which noted that Freemasonry had caused suspicion in the investigation of the 1987 murder of private detective Daniel Morgan. A long-serving Met officer, who has been a Freemason for 12 years, described the policy as ‘absolutely unfair.’

The officer, who requested anonymity, expressed surprise at the new policy. He compared Freemasonry to a club and questioned why membership in other clubs, like rugby or golf, was not required to be declared.

He mentioned that he had only heard one instance, about 10 years ago, where a promotion was blamed on masonic membership. He is concerned that revealing his Freemason status could hinder his chances for promotion.

Concerns Over the Policy’s Impact

The officer stated he is uncertain about how the Met will use the information collected. He worries that it could affect his job opportunities. He plans to wait for the outcome of the legal challenge before deciding whether to declare his membership.

According to UGLE, there are 440 Freemasons among the 32,135 officers in the Met and 1,200 Freemason officers nationwide. Another Met officer shared a letter with UGLE, recounting an incident where he arrested the daughter of a Freemason, who claimed her father’s connections would protect her. He affirmed that she was treated appropriately by the justice system.

Emotional Reactions from Officers

The officer expressed feelings of being ‘deeply upset, angry, and profoundly disappointed’ by the new policy. He had dreamed of becoming a police officer since childhood and never expected his integrity to be questioned due to his lawful membership in a charitable organization.

He mentioned that the situation has led him to consider a career outside of policing for the first time. While the Met is the only force with such a policy, other officers fear it may spread to other regions.

One officer in southwest England expressed concern that the change could hinder his career progression. He questioned how far the scrutiny of officers’ personal lives would go.

Personal Experiences and Membership

This officer, who has served for five years, joined the Freemasons for the ceremony and camaraderie. He has always been open about his membership and noted that no one in the force seems to care. He compared discussions about Freemasonry to casual conversations about playing pickleball.

He acknowledged the existence of the Freemason handshake but emphasized that it is not secret and is based on tradition. The Metropolitan Police continue to defend their decision to require officers to declare their membership.

Metropolitan Police’s Justification

The force stated that their decision was influenced by a survey showing that two-thirds of respondents felt membership could affect perceptions of police impartiality and public trust. Met Commander Simon Messinger explained that past leaders have considered changes to the declarable association policy for years.

He emphasized that public and staff confidence must take precedence over the secrecy of any membership organization. The Met’s decision does not prevent staff from joining the Freemasons or similar organizations, but it aims to address concerns about impartiality and conflicts of loyalty.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed awareness of the judicial review challenging the policy change and stated they would defend it. They reiterated that the changes were made based on feedback regarding potential conflicts of loyalty.