David Carrick investigation : Police officers retained despite Carrick investigation controversy

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Police accountability
2. Law enforcement integrity

The investigation into a serious abuse allegation against a Metropolitan Police officer, David Carrick, was mishandled by Wiltshire Police, leading to missed opportunities and minimal investigative action. Despite evidence of Carrick’s involvement in other serious offences, the officers failed to properly investigate, contact the victim, or notify relevant authorities. Carrick was eventually sentenced to 30 years in prison for multiple violent and sexual offences. The officers faced a gross misconduct hearing and received final written warnings. Wiltshire Police acknowledged their failure and promised to learn from the case to improve their services. This incident highlights the importance of thorough and diligent police investigations.

The Investigation into David Carrick’s Abuse Allegations

The investigation into former Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick’s horrific spate of offending began in July last year in Wiltshire. The probe was initiated following a referral from Wiltshire Police, who had reviewed their systems after Carrick’s conviction and discovered a report from 2016 that had not been appropriately investigated.

Missed Opportunity for Justice

In January 2016, a woman contacted Wiltshire Police to report that Carrick had abused another female and requested an investigation into the matter. Pc Fisher was assigned to look into the case but, after speaking with the woman, decided to close the case without further investigation. This decision was approved by her supervisor, Sgt Tippetts.

Negligence and Oversight

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found that Pc Fisher failed to take adequate investigative action, including contacting the victim or flagging the serious allegation to the Metropolitan Police Service. If the officers had checked the police systems, they would have discovered that Carrick was already under investigation for other offenses at the time.

Consequences of Inaction

In February 2023, Carrick was sentenced to a minimum of 30 years in prison for 49 violent and sexual offenses, including 24 counts of rape. The IOPC concluded that there was a missed opportunity by Wiltshire Police officers to investigate Carrick following the 2016 report, which could have potentially prevented further offenses.

Accountability and Oversight

Both Pc Fisher and Sgt Tippetts faced a gross misconduct hearing for breaching professional behavior standards. The panel determined that their actions amounted to misconduct and imposed final written warnings on both officers. Wiltshire Police deputy chief constable Craig Dibdin acknowledged the failure in service and lack of proper oversight in the case.

Apology and Commitment to Improvement

Dibdin issued an unreserved apology to the person whose report was not initially investigated and pledged to share the learnings from the case to improve the service provided by the police. He emphasized the importance of maintaining trust and confidence in the community by listening to and investigating all allegations thoroughly.

In conclusion, the investigation into David Carrick’s abuse allegations highlights the critical importance of thorough and diligent police work in ensuring justice and accountability. The case serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of negligence and oversight in law enforcement and the need for continuous improvement and learning within police organizations.