The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the Metropolitan Police following serious concerns about their handling of criminal allegations against disgraced former officer David Carrick.
Despite a 2023 internal Met review that cleared its officers, the IOPC’s new investigation has found sufficient evidence to open four separate probes into the conduct of eight officers and one staff member.
One major investigation focuses on a 2002 harassment claim made by Carrick’s former partner, which was quietly managed by his line manager and never referred to the Met’s Department of Professional Standards (DPS).
Additional investigations examine how officers handled harassment and stalking complaints from 2016 and 2019, as well as a rape allegation from February 2021.
The IOPC discovered that officers ranging from police constables to chief inspectors failed to properly pursue misconduct investigations after related criminal cases collapsed.
Alarmingly, Carrick’s name was removed from Met records following the conclusion of criminal probes, preventing officers from identifying a concerning pattern of behaviour.
The watchdog criticised these actions, emphasising that misconduct investigations should continue even when criminal evidence is insufficient.
The IOPC is advocating for national reforms, urging police forces and organisations such as the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing to strengthen vetting procedures, address off-duty misconduct more rigorously, and ensure offences involving officers are flagged within crime recording systems.
Separately, an investigation has begun into Wiltshire Police’s handling of a 2016 complaint against Carrick. The findings from this inquiry will contribute to the broader Angiolini Inquiry into Carrick’s crimes.
Originally published by UKNIP.
