20 July 2023 , 16:08
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The police watchdog has launched four investigations into why serial rapist PC David Carrick was repeatedly cleared when he was accused of sex attacks and abuse.
Carrick, 48, was finally jailed for life in February for 49 offences, including 24 rapes, perpetrated against 12 women during his police career. He had come to the attention of the police in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said on Thursday that it was "deeply concerned" that Carrick's name was removed from records in two cases which meant he was not properly investigated.
Eight officers are being probed over their handling of the complaints, ranging from police constable to chief inspector. The watchdog said it was taking the "unusual step" of opening four separate investigations after the Met decided last year that none were necessary.
Carrick, 48, was finally jailed for life in February for 49 offences (SWNS)Six of the officers being investigated were at the time in the Met's Department of Professional Standards, which inspired hit BBC drama Line of Duty's fictional AC-12.
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The DPS were responsible for the earlier decision that none of their own should face misconduct proceedings.
IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “Our review has identified repeated failures to progress conduct investigations when the Met’s DPS officers were advised that no further action was being taken by the forces carrying out the criminal investigations into Carrick.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley (PA)“We were also deeply concerned to find that in respect of two of the cases, David Carrick’s name was removed from the MPS’s system records after the criminal investigations were dropped. This meant that some prior allegations made against Carrick did not show up in the system when further allegations were later made, leading to MPS officers being unable to build a complete picture of his pattern of offending.
“These were potentially missed opportunities to pursue gross misconduct investigations against Carrick, which may have led to his dismissal years before he was eventually arrested."
The first investigation will look at a 2002 allegation of harassment made against Carrick by a former partner. Carrick was a probationary officer at the time and could have been removed from the force, the IOPC said.
The ex-Met Police officer, 48, was jailed for life with a minimum of 30 years in February after admitting 85 serious offences, including 48 rapes, against 12 women (REX/Shutterstock) The second case will look at a 2016 report of harassment and stalking made by a former partner to Hampshire Police.
Officers made the Met's DPS aware of the allegations after taking no criminal action, the IOPC said.
A 2019 report to Hertfordshire Police of a woman being attacked and dragged by Carrick out of his house will also be investigated.
The force also informed the Met's DPS of the allegations.
A February 2021 report of a woman allegedly being raped by Carrick is the final case to be probed.
The Met began misconduct investigations into the second, third and fourth reports but he was allowed to remain in post.
Carrick was finally suspended in October 2021 when he was arrested for rape and remanded in custody.
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