Monday, January 16, 2023

"A London police officer has pleaded guilty to charges of abuse, including rape and sexual assault, against 12 women over nearly two decades"

NYT:

[He] was arrested in October 2021, after a woman reported to police in the country of Hertfordshire that he had raped her. The victim  decided not to proceed with the allegation, but news of his arrest prompted another 12 women — 13 in all — to come forward

...

The force added that it had set up a team of 50 investigators, among other actions, to review allegations of sexual offenses or domestic abuse levied against current police officers and staff members.

BBC:

In the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met officer, the force publicly proclaimed its commitment to protecting women and launched an "action plan" to try to regain trust.

But it has now admitted its professional standards department made no attempt to check the full record of another officer accused of rape.

Guardian:

It can now be revealed the Met has admitted errors in failing to spot [his] escalating danger during his 20 years’ service.

The force was told about nine incidents from 2000 to 2021, including eight alleged attacks or clashes [he] had with women before the arrest that led to his convictions.

No action was taken, with the women either refusing to formally complain or withdrawing their cooperation from the police investigation.

Alarm bells also failed to ring within the force, which promoted [him] in 2009 from patrolling the streets to being a member of an elite armed unit, the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command, guarding embassies, Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament.