A Metropolitan Police officer is currently under investigation after a video resurfaced showing him allegedly advising a group of Nigerian women not to contact the police regarding domestic disputes with their husbands. The incident, which took place in 2018 at Divine Restoration International Church in Camberwell, United Kingdom, has sparked widespread outrage and prompted an internal investigation by the police force.
The video, which recently gained attention on social media, captures the officer speaking in both Yoruba and English, addressing a predominantly female audience at the church. While discussing knife crime and the importance of parental influence, the officer reportedly suggested that young men may be more inclined to listen to their fathers than their mothers. However, the most controversial remarks came when he advised the women to refrain from calling the police on their husbands and instead “manage” the situation.
The comments have been met with strong criticism from advocacy groups, who argue that they could discourage victims of domestic violence from seeking help. Afruca, a children’s safeguarding charity focused on African communities, has lodged a formal complaint against the officer. Debbie Ariyo, the group’s Chief Executive, expressed her dismay at the officer’s message, telling the UK Mirror:
“[The officer said], ‘Do not call the police on your husband, but manage it.’ When I heard it, I was livid. Like, what do you mean? If a man is abusing the woman… domestic violence is not always about physical abuse; it can be emotional or even cultural. If a woman is being abused, you’re saying that she shouldn’t seek police protection? That was really bad of them, like minimizing these issues in our communities.”
Ariyo further criticized the officer’s apparent disregard for the safety of women and children in abusive homes, as well as his ignorance of the UK’s Domestic Violence Act of 2021, which emphasizes protecting victims regardless of their background. She also highlighted the lack of attention toward violence against Black women, pointing out that 43% of femicide victims in 2022 were Black, despite making up a smaller proportion of the UK population.
In response to the incident, Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh acknowledged that the officer’s comments did not align with the Metropolitan Police’s stance on domestic violence. He stated:
“The incident reported relates to an informal talk by a police member of staff made at a church in Camberwell back in 2018. The comments made by the member of the police staff categorically do not represent the position of the Met in relation to domestic abuse and are wrong. There are no circumstances where it would be appropriate for a victim-survivor of domestic abuse not to report it to the police if they feel able to do so.”
He also emphasized the Metropolitan Police’s continued efforts to combat domestic abuse, noting that dedicated investigation teams have been established across London’s boroughs, including Lambeth and Southwark, to support victims and encourage reporting. These teams work in partnership with local authorities and third-sector organizations involved in addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The investigation into the officer’s conduct is ongoing, with a focus on ensuring that such harmful messages do not undermine efforts to fight domestic violence within diverse communities. Advocacy groups remain concerned that such statements could have long-lasting adverse effects on victims, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. They are calling for greater sensitivity and awareness from law enforcement officers in handling domestic violence cases.
