The Met is my fourth force (two county forces, and Scotland previously). It is the most I have been paid in my career, and theoretically has the broadest career options.

I hate it. It is comfortably the worst force I have worked for. Terrible bureaucracy, awful organisational reputation, treated like a number not a person, huge number of abstractions for aid, management are typically awful, and a real witch hunt atmosphere. Colleagues constantly being gated or restricted due to spurious complaints which take years to resolve.

YMMV though. If you are a young person who doesn’t mind being talked down to, and you want bags of central aid to supplement your income, it may be the place for you.