A Metropolitan Police Officer used his authority and knowledge of the law to put fear into his victims over a 17-year period. He has now admitted dozens of rape and sexual offences against 12 women.

David Carrick, a 48-year-old Metropolitan Police officer who used his role as an armed officer to put fear into his victims, pleaded guilty to 49 offences across two decades. 

The Met has apologised after it emerged that Carrick had come to the attention of police over nine incidents, including rape allegations, between 2000 and 2021.

Carrick, while serving with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, met some of his victims through online dating sites and used his knowledge of the law as a way to gain their trust.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of rape, false imprisonment, and indecent assault on Monday at Southwark Crown Court.

It has now been revealed that Carrick pleaded guilty to another 43 charges, including 20 counts of rape, in December 2022.

Carrick admitted to nine counts of rape. Many of the attacks involved violence that has left his victims physically injured.

Assistant Commissioner Barbara Gray, the Met's lead for professionalism, stated:

"We should have spotted his pattern of abusive behaviour and because we didn't, we missed opportunities to remove him from the organisation.

"We are truly sorry that being able to continue to use his role as a police officer may have prolonged the suffering of his victims.

"We know they felt unable to come forward sooner because he told them they would not be believed."

Carrick, who admitted 24 counts of rape, was suspended from duty in October 2021 when he was arrested.

His offences spanned from 2003 to 2020 and most took place in Hertfordshire, where he lived.

Jaswant Narwal, chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

"Carrick held a role where he was trusted with the responsibility of protecting the public, but yet over 17 years, in his private life, he did the exact opposite.

"This is a man who relentlessly degraded, belittled and sexually assaulted and raped women.

"As time went on, the severity of his offending intensified as he became emboldened, thinking he would get away with it."

What is police misconduct?

Police misconduct refers to any illegal or unethical behaviour engaged in by a police officer while performing their duties. Examples of police misconduct include excessive use of force, wrongful arrest, and sexual misconduct (including rape). Police officers can use their power and influence to sexually abuse victims.

What are the statistics for police misconduct in the UK?

It is often quite difficult to provide specific statistics for police misconduct in the United Kingdom, as it depends on how misconduct is defined and reported.

However, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), in the financial year 2019-2020, the IOPC received a total of 12,183 complaints against the police in England and Wales. Out of these complaints, 4,757 were referred for investigation, which is a referral rate of 39%.

In addition to this, the IOPC received a total of 3,914 complaints against the Met. Out of these complaints, 1,636 were referred for investigation, which is a referral rate of 42%. This made the Met the police force with the most complaints in England and Wales.

How can I sue the police?

Suing the police for misconduct in the United Kingdom is a complex process and it's advisable to seek legal advice before proceeding with a claim. Here are some steps that you may need to take in order to sue the police:

1. Gather evidence: Collect any evidence you have related to the misconduct, such as photographs, videos, witness statements, medical records, and any other relevant documents.
2. Make a complaint: Make a complaint to the police force involved. You can do this by contacting the relevant police station or by visiting the force's website.
3. Contact the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC): You can also contact the IOPC if you wish to make a complaint about the conduct of police officers or staff.
4. Seek legal advice: Consult with a solicitor who specialises in police misconduct cases. They can advise you on your legal options and help you prepare your case. ClaimExperts.co.uk have compiled a panel of expert Police Complaint solicitors to assist.
5. Submit your claim: Once you have gathered all the necessary evidence and have consulted with a solicitor, you can submit a claim
6. Consider court action: If your claim is not resolved, you may consider taking court action. This will require you to prove that the police officers involved were negligent or acted in breach of their duty of care.

It's important to note that suing the police is a complex process which often requires legal advice. Also, the time limits for bringing a claim for compensation, which is usually 6 years from the date of the incident, can be shorter in some circumstances.

At ClaimExperts.co.uk, we have a panel of expert Actions Against The Police Solicitors who can help you take civil action against the police. We have created a free-to-use eligibility checker here.