Trust in police has eroded as Met officers to have cases of violence against women reviewed which will have ‘consequences for policing’

Downing Street has told the Metropolitan Police that there is “no place for officers” who fall “seriously short” of acceptable standards.

This comes after the court case of David Carrick who raped and attacked women over an 18-year period whilst serving in the Metropolitan Police.

Carrick was accused many times of rape and domestic violence and harassment between 2000 and 2021 and got away with it.

On Monday Carrick pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to 49 attacks on women as well as 24 rapes and has since been sacked from the force.

Carrick became and armed officer with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command in 2009.

He faced no criminal charges or even misconduct findings until there was a rape complaint made against Carrick and was arrested and suspended in October 2021.

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Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley made the shocking admission that he can “make no promise” to any woman who attends a police station to report a sexual offence would meet an officer whose past behaviour is now under review.

Sir Mark said that Carrick was able to remain in the force as serving cop amid week policies and decisions despite a long list of complaints being made against him.

Recent reporting may have given the impression there are 800 to 1,000 Met officers actively under investigation for sexual misconduct.

That is not the case.

The work being reported on is a review of 10 years of completed cases, not live investigations. https://t.co/etC12kOoM2

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) January 18, 2023

Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said, “This is a sickening and horrific case with far reaching consequences for policing.”

In November, one of the most senior police officers in Britain told delegated at the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) addressed a damning watchdog report of police vetting, where they found that hundreds, if not thousands corrupt, and bent officers could be serving.

Martin Hewitt warned then that public “confidence is on a downward trend” and following the Carrick case, it is probably fair to say that trust has now fallen through the gutter.

Sir Mark told BBC Breakfast, “We’ve let London down – he’s been a police officer for 20 years.

“Through a combination of weak policies and weak decisions, over those 20 years we missed opportunities when he joined and subsequently, as behaviour came to the fore that we should have removed him from policing.

“Whether it would have affected him being a sex offender I don’t know, but he shouldn’t have been doing it as a police officer.”

It has now emerged that 800 coppers had allegations made against them, but no further action was taken, these cases are now under review.

Sir Mark was asked if has can guarantee that any woman who attends a police station to report a sexual offence would meet an officer whose past behaviour is now under review.

In a shocking admission Sir Mark responded, “I can’t, I’m not going to make a promise that I can’t stick to,” he said.

“I’m going to put in place ruthless systems to squeeze out those who shouldn’t be with us.”

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said, the case is evidence of “appalling failures” in the police vetting procedures.

Cooper said, “This is a truly shocking and appalling case, with the most devastating rapes, sexual and violent crimes committed against women by a serving police officer.

“It is a tribute to the bravery of his victims that this man has now been caught.

“But it is further evidence of appalling failures in the police vetting and misconduct processes, still not addressed by Government, that he was ever able to serve as a police officer.

“Everyone who demanded change will feel badly let down today.”

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said, “This is an appalling case and the Prime Minister’s thoughts are with all of his victims.

“We have been clear, there is no place in our police forces for officers who fall so seriously short of the acceptable standards of behaviour and are not fit to wear the uniform.

“Police forces must root out these officers to restore the public’s trust, which has been shattered by high-profile events such as this.

“The Home Office is pushing for improvement and has recently announced a review of police dismissals to ensure the system is fair and effective at removing officers who are not fit to serve.”