Met Police Tribunal Hears 'Unconscious Bias' Led to David Carrick Investigation Failure
A Metropolitan Police detective is facing serious misconduct allegations for failing to properly oversee an investigation into serial rapist David Carrick, with a tribunal hearing claims of "unconscious bias" linked to the victim's race and sex. The misconduct hearing in south London on Monday revealed disturbing details about the handling of the case against Carrick, a former armed officer now serving 37 life sentences for attacking more than a dozen women.
Detective Sergeant Accused of Grave Dereliction of Duty
Detective Sergeant Ray Mackennon line-managed Officer A, who was assigned to investigate Carrick in August 2021 following a woman's report that Carrick had anally raped her multiple times during their five-month relationship. Det Sgt Mackennon denies the accusation that he failed to ensure Officer A adequately investigated the woman's serious allegations against Carrick.
"The appropriate authority contends that the failures of the officer concerned are in part or wholly attributed to unconscious or conscious bias regarding Female E's sex or race," said Kevin Saunders, representing the appropriate authority at the hearing.
Victim's Reluctance and Investigation Shortcomings
The woman, known as Female E, later told police she wanted to stop the criminal investigation into Carrick, who was a serving police officer at the time, as she did not feel "mentally strong enough" to continue. Mr Saunders clarified that this was not the woman retracting her allegation but rather a statement of "unwillingness or reluctance" to continue with the investigation.
The tribunal heard that Det Sgt Mackennon failed to ensure or direct Officer A to contact other witnesses, failed to ensure adequate investigation of "derogatory, misogynistic, sexualised and grossly offensive Facebook messages" between Carrick and Female E's partner, and failed to contact Female E herself.
Credibility Concerns and Inadequate Procedures
Det Sgt Mackennon was reportedly "heavily critical of Female E's credibility due to perceived inconsistencies" during a police interview and made "repeated references" to her immigration status. He had directed the use of an "inadequate streamlined investigation that prematurely concluded that former officer Carrick had no case to answer" and for Officer A to complete a "streamlined outcome report."
"The AA contends this was in any view never a case that should have been susceptible or subject to that streamlined procedure," Mr Saunders told the hearing.
Critical Evidence Overlooked
The misconduct probe had relied on a seven-sentence summary of a police interview with Carrick while officers failed to obtain the full 49-page transcript. Cases involving accusations of rape "rise and fall on a careful analysis of credibility," Mr Saunders said, adding that it would have been "rudimentary, fundamental to have properly reviewed the ABE interview before rejecting Female E's credibility."
Mr Saunders said the accusations against Det Sgt Mackennon represented a "grave derelction of duty" and it is alleged that, if found proven, his behaviour amounts to gross misconduct and could justify his dismissal.
Carrick's Extensive Criminal History
David Carrick, 51, is recognised as one of the UK's most prolific sex offenders. In 2022 and 2023, he pleaded guilty to 71 sexual offences, including 48 rapes against 12 other women over 17 years. In November last year, he was convicted of molesting a 12-year-old child in the late 1980s and repeatedly raping and abusing a female ex-partner.
The misconduct hearing continues as the Metropolitan Police faces scrutiny over its handling of serious allegations against serving officers.
