April 6, 2012 -- Updated 1308 GMT (2108 HKT)
General view of the sign for the New Scotland Yard building in Victoria on January 27, 2011 in London, England.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Eight officers and a member of staff are suspended, the Metropolitan Police says
- About 20 officers and a member of staff are under investigation, police say
- "There is no room for racism in the Met," says the force's deputy commissioner
- The force, which has 32,000 officers, has faced accusations of racism in the past
London (CNN) -- London's Metropolitan Police was under fire Friday after 10 cases involving alleged racism by police officers were referred to the independent police watchdog for investigation.
Eight officers and a staff member have been suspended while allegations that they used racist language are reviewed, the Metropolitan Police said.
The 10 cases involve about 20 police officers and one staff member, a police spokesman said.
Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey said Thursday that the force, known as the Met, was taking the matter very seriously.
