Metropolitan Police Failed to Properly Vet Officers with Rape Allegations

The recent review highlighting serious issues in the Metropolitan Police’s recruitment practices has raised alarm. It reveals systemic failures in vetting officers accused of serious crimes, including rape and domestic abuse.

Key Findings in the Metropolitan Police Review

The review, published on Thursday, disclosed critical facts regarding the hiring processes of the Metropolitan Police. Notably, it identified two significant cases of officers with serious allegations against them.

• David Carrick: Received 37 life sentences for multiple serious offenses but was inadequately vetted in 2017. His background checks did not reveal previous domestic abuse allegations.
• Benedict Mitchell: Engaged in a campaign of rape against two victims. Despite an earlier allegation of child rape, he was hired after a vetting panel overturned the refusal of his application.

Inspector Panel and Recruitment Pressures

The vetting panel responsible for reviewing these applications was established in 2018 and aimed to improve diversity in the police force. The panel, however, later faced scrutiny after it reversed decisions on 114 officers, 25 of whom subsequently faced misconduct accusations. This review indicates that political pressure to meet recruitment targets led to lapses in proper vetting.

Impact of Recruitment Drives

Between July 2019 and March 2023, the Metropolitan Police fell short of adhering to national guidelines in their rush to recruit over 4,500 officers. This pressure to meet the Police Uplift Programme’s target of 20,000 new officers left many references unchecked and established a precedent for lax vetting practices.

The rushed recruitment strategy resulted in significant harm to the community and diminished public trust in the police force. The critique from the review emphasizes the need for more stringent vetting procedures to prevent police-perpetrated harm.

Conclusion

The Metropolitan Police must overhaul its recruitment and vetting process. Ensuring that officers with troubling backgrounds do not enter the force is crucial to restoring public confidence and integrity within law enforcement.