A former Metropolitan Police officer has been exposed as a predatory serial sex offender who exploited his position of power to torment and abuse women over nearly two decades.
David Carrick, 48, who served as an armed officer in the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, pleaded guilty to 49 criminal charges including 24 counts of rape against 12 women between 2003 and 2020.
Systemic Failure in Police Vetting
Despite multiple red flags and previous complaints about his behaviour, Carrick remained employed by the Met, raising serious questions about the force's vetting procedures and handling of misconduct allegations.
The shocking case has sent shockwaves through British policing, coming just months after the sentencing of Wayne Couzens for the murder of Sarah Everard, another officer from the same unit.
A Pattern of Predatory Behaviour
Carrick's offences followed a disturbing pattern where he would:
- Use his police status to gain women's trust
- Isolate victims and control their movements
- Subject them to degrading sexual violence and humiliation
- Threaten victims with his position and authority
Prosecutors described how he would lock one victim in a small cupboard under the stairs for hours without food, and repeatedly urinate on another during what he called "games."
Missed Opportunities to Stop the Abuse
Alarmingly, Carrick had come to police attention on nine separate occasions before his arrest, including allegations of rape, domestic violence, and harassment. Yet no meaningful action was taken to remove him from duty.
"This is a sickening case," said a senior detective involved in the investigation. "A man who was meant to protect the public instead used his uniform as a shield to commit horrific crimes."
Impact on Police Trust and Confidence
The case has further damaged public confidence in the Metropolitan Police, which is already under scrutiny following a series of scandals and a damning report by Baroness Casey that found institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia within the force.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowland has apologised to Carrick's victims, acknowledging that "we have failed". The force is now reviewing more than 1,000 cases of alleged sexual offences and domestic violence involving its officers.
Carrick is due to be sentenced next month and faces a substantial prison term for what prosecutors have described as "a systematic catalogue of violent and brutal sexual offences".
