The Met could have stopped rapist policeman David Carrick — why did it fail again? 

During Carrick’s 20 years of service, chances to investigate him were repeatedly missed. Instead, he was promoted, writes Sue Fish

Serving Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick who has pleaded guilty to 49 offences, including 24 counts of rape, against 12 women between 2003 and 2020. Picture: Metropolitan Police/PA Wire

I have spent years calling out misogyny and sexual violence within the police service, but the story of David Carrick left me speechless.

Carrick has served in the Met for 20 years, and is now an armed officer in the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command — an elite, sought-after job that requires extensive vetting. And yet he admitted on Monday to 49 counts of sexual offences against 12 women over 17 years, including 24 counts of rape and three of false imprisonment.