Met officers avoid disciplinary action despite failings in Carrick case

NO METROPOLITAN Police officers are facing disciplinary action over the failings that allowed serial rapist David Carrick to get away with his crimes.

The former Scotland Yard armed officer will appear in court today for sentencing after pleading guilty to 49 sex offences last month.

An independent review has been ordered into the Met’s handling of the case after it emerged that police missed nine opportunities to identify Carrick’s offending.

But despite previously stating that three specific blunders had been referred to the police watchdog for further investigation, The Daily Telegraph has learnt that no individual officers are currently under scrutiny.

Scotland Yard bosses have said they believe any mistakes were down to “processes and approaches” rather than the failings of individuals and so have not made any misconduct referrals to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Carrick’s 17-year reign of terror began in 2003, two years after he joined the Metropolitan Police.

But in November 2002, while he was still on probation, he was accused of assault after an attack on a girlfriend who wanted to end their relationship.

She reported the matter to his bosses in Scotland Yard but no action was taken. In 2019 Carrick was reported to Hertfordshire Police over allegations of assault and criminal damage after a row with his then girlfriend.

Scotland Yard’s Department of Professional Standards was informed and the matter was sent to his own Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection unit to examine. But it was swiftly determined that the matter did not constitute gross misconduct and he was advised in future to tell his bosses about such off duty incidents.

Two years later in 2021 Carrick was arrested on suspicion of rape just days after his Met colleague Wayne Couzens had admitted murdering Sarah Everard.

But rather than being suspended he was put on restricted duties and when the victim withdrew the complaint the Met decided he had no case to answer.

The IOPC said: “All forces have confirmed their reviews are complete and advised there are no issues which meet criteria for a valid conduct referral.

“However, we are assessing all the information provided to us. We will consider any next steps following this assessment.”