Former Metropolitan Police officer Ireland Murdock, aged 26, was found guilty of rape at Inner London Crown Court on Monday, 3 April. The ex-officer, who was previously attached to the Central North Basic Command Unit, is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday, 23 May.
Murdock was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police in July last year after admitting to unlawfully accessing the victim’s name in a police database. This breach of trust and protocol led to his swift removal from the force.
Chief Superintendent Andy Carter condemned Murdock’s conduct as “absolutely atrocious” and highlighted the significant pain and fear suffered by the victim. Carter stated, “He betrayed everything we stand for and I am disgusted by his actions.” He also praised the victim for her bravery and thanked investigators for building a strong case that resulted in Murdock’s conviction.
“We took immediate action to suspend and then dismiss Murdock as soon as his misconduct came to light,” Carter added. “We are determined to maintain a police force the public can trust.”
The incident occurred on 25 September 2021 when Murdock allegedly raped a woman he knew while off duty. The victim reported the attack on 9 January 2022, and Murdock was arrested two days later. On 31 March 2022, he was charged with rape and unauthorised access to computer material. While he pleaded guilty to the data breach, he denied the rape charges until the court verdict.
Following his admission of unauthorised database access, Murdock faced an accelerated disciplinary hearing in July 2022. The panel ruled that his conduct amounted to gross misconduct, leading to his immediate dismissal without notice.
He has since been placed on the College of Policing’s Barred List, preventing him from working for any police force, local policing bodies, or related organisations such as the Independent Office for Police Conduct or Fire and Rescue Services.
This case highlights the high standards expected from those sworn to protect the public. The Metropolitan Police have pledged swift justice for any officer who betrays public trust.
Originally published by UKNIP.
