Five serving Met Police officers investigated over rapist David Carrick case

Met Police officer David Carrick was jailed for life in February. Credit: PA

A watchdog is investigating the conduct of 10 current or former police officers and staff over their handling of allegations against serial rapist David Carrick's behaviour.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it is probing five serving Metropolitan Police officers.

The detective constable, detective sergeant, detective inspector and two chief inspectors were informed this month that they are under investigation for gross misconduct.

A former Met officer, now at the City of London Police force, and two retired MPS officers – a former police constable and former superintendent – have also been advised they are under investigation for gross misconduct. A serving MPS staff member and an MPS police constable have been advised they are under investigation for misconduct.

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Court artist sketch of David Carrick appearing at Southwark Crown Court in London for sentencing Credit: Elizabeth Cook/PA

Carrick was jailed for life in February over a “catalogue of violent and brutal” sex attacks against 12 women between 2003 and 2020.

Southwark Crown Court heard how he abused his authority as an officer to take “monstrous advantage of women”.

IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said after a review, the watchdog decided to launch investigations into "multiple alleged failings" of police officers and staff who investigated or assessed allegations against Carrick.

“If these matters had been adequately progressed, Carrick could potentially have faced gross misconduct proceedings and been dismissed from the police service years before he was eventually arrested," she added.

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“While we’ve notified a number of officers that they are under investigation, this does not mean that disciplinary proceedings will automatically follow. “At the end of each investigation, we will determine whether any individuals should face disciplinary proceedings."

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "David Carrick was responsible for the most appalling offences and we are truly sorry for the harm and suffering he caused his victims. He should never have been a police officer.

"We have acknowledged that serious flaws in our approach meant we did not spot his pattern of abusive behaviour and as a result, we missed opportunities to pursue him through the misconduct process. We deeply regret this."

The Met said it wrote to the IOPC in January 2023 urging it to review its handling of all matters related to Carrick. It said the watchdog previously determined that it would not review the forces' overall handing of cases unless evidence of misconduct on the part of the individuals had already been identified.

"However given the seriousness of Carrick’s offending and the understandable degree of public concern it caused, we were anxious that this position was reconsidered," the Met's spokesperson added.

"We are absolutely committed to identifying and rooting out those who corrupt our integrity and have no place in policing. We welcome the important role that independent scrutiny has to play in improving our practices in this area as we work determinedly to rebuild trust and confidence in the Met. "

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