The Metropolitan Police has upheld 119 sexual misconduct complaints out of 594 made between 2012 and 2018, according to documents obtained by the Observer. The revelations include allegations that an officer had sex with a rape victim and another assaulted a domestic abuse survivor, intensifying pressure on the force after its handling of a vigil for Sarah Everard drew widespread criticism.
Among the upheld cases, one officer was dismissed after allegedly taking advantage of a rape victim’s vulnerability and having sex with her on two occasions. Another was forced to leave after pretending to be a woman online to advance his sexual proclivities and filming a woman apparently having non-consensual sex in a public park. A third officer resigned after being accused of raping women he met at a nightclub while off-duty.
Further cases include an officer who had a sexual relationship with a resident in a women’s refuge, a safe house for domestic violence victims, leading to his departure. Another officer received only a verbal warning after meeting a woman on duty and later visiting her home, where sexual intercourse resulted in an allegation of rape. The warning is the least severe censure possible following a misconduct hearing.
Domestic abuse also featured prominently: one officer was dismissed after being arrested on suspicion of rape, threats to kill and common assault against his partner; a special constable was dismissed for raping his wife numerous times over eight years of marriage. Additionally, an officer was dismissed for sending messages on the app Kik expressing a desire to rape his daughter and niece.
Former chief crown prosecutor Nazir Afzal commented: “We expect a higher standard from our protectors... The whole point of the police is that they work with the most vulnerable.” He questioned how many cases entered the criminal justice system, adding that “disciplinary proceedings are no substitute for judicial proceedings.” The Met did not disclose the number of cases referred for prosecution.
