The head of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services stated that the crimes “certainly denigrate” the entire profession, but he denies that policing is inherently sexist.
Following the heinous attacks by former officer David Carrick, the police watchdog asserts that public confidence in law enforcement has reached its “lowest point.”
Andy Cooke, the chief inspector of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, spoke before the home affairs select committee today, stating that the actions of the former PC “totally tarnish the entire profession and will continue to do so for some time.”
However, when questioned if he believed forces in England and Wales had a problem with women. Mr. Cook denied institutional misogyny, stating that it was a “societal” issue.
David Carrick, a former Metropolitan Police officer who served for nearly two decades. Pleaded this week to 49 charges for crimes committed over a period of 18 years, including 24 counts of rape.
The allegations pertain to the rape of nine separate women, although some of them are multiple incident count. Covering more than eighty sexual offenses, including at least forty-eight rapes.
Mr. Cook was questioned about the issue by Labour’s Dame Diana Johnson, who stated that there appeared to be “a systematic failure of the police system that permitted [Carrick] to continue working as a police officer.”
As committee head, she inquired, “How was he permitted to serve as a police officer for so long?”
Mr. Cooke acknowledged there had been “serious failures” and added, “Clearly, the offenses perpetrated by this guy are reprehensible. And no one with such a disposition should be permitted to wear a police uniform.”
Public faith was “shattered”
After Carrick’s court appearance earlier this week, Downing Street called his crimes “appalling”. And urged police forces to root out corrupt personnel “to restore the broken public’s trust.”
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley acknowledged that his department “failed” and that Carrick “should not have been a police officer.”
Carrick, a member of the force’s parliamentary and diplomatic command, was brought to officers’ attention over nine prior incidents. Including allegations of rape and domestic abuse. But he did not face any criminal consequences or findings of misconduct regarding these charges. The force has since issued an apology.
A disciplinary hearing led to his dismissal from the force.
