Two serial rapists among police officers not vetted

Key Concepts

• Vetting: The process of thoroughly investigating the background and suitability of individuals for employment, particularly in sensitive roles like law enforcement.
• Austerity: A period of government spending cuts, impacting police force numbers in this case.
• Serious Misconduct: Actions by police officers that violate standards of behaviour and potentially constitute criminal offences.
• Internal Panel (Diversity Focus): A review board within the Met Police specifically intended to increase diversity in recruitment, which in some cases led to compromised vetting standards.

Failures in Metropolitan Police Vetting Procedures & Resulting Crimes

The Metropolitan Police force experienced a significant failure in its vetting procedures between 2019 and 2023, resulting in the employment of individuals who subsequently committed serious crimes and engaged in serious misconduct. This failure impacted over 5,000 officers and staff, stemming from a pressured recruitment drive. The core issue was a compromise of thoroughness in background checks due to the urgency of increasing officer numbers to offset losses incurred during a period of austerity.

High-Profile Cases of Vetting Failures

Two particularly egregious cases highlight the severity of these failures. David Carrick, now serving 37 life sentences for multiple counts of rape and other sexual offenses, was not flagged during revetting checks in 2017 despite a prior domestic abuse allegation. He continued to serve as an armed officer for four years following this allegation before his eventual arrest. Similarly, Cliff Mitchell was initially rejected for employment by the Met Police but was subsequently accepted following a review by an internal panel – a panel specifically established, in part, to improve diversity within the force. Mitchell was later sentenced to life imprisonment for raping two victims over a nine-year period. These cases demonstrate a systemic breakdown in identifying and preventing dangerous individuals from joining the police force.

Recruitment Pressures & Compromised Standards

Between 2019 and 2023, the Met Police faced significant pressure to rapidly recruit thousands of new officers, linked to potential funding losses. This pressure directly contributed to the compromised vetting standards. Essential steps in the vetting process were bypassed, including thorough reference checks and the completion of necessary security clearances. The consequences were far-reaching, encompassing offenses such as rape, racism, drug use, and violence committed by officers and staff.

Scale of the Problem & Internal Estimates

The Met Police estimates that approximately 1,200 individuals who were hired out of a total of 27,000 applicants would likely have been refused employment had standard vetting practices been followed. This represents a substantial proportion of new recruits and underscores the extent of the systemic failures. The force has since removed over 1,500 officers in the past few years as a result of subsequent investigations and reviews.

Response & Current Status

In response to these revelations, the Home Secretary has ordered a national inspection of police vetting procedures across England and Wales. The Met Police asserts that vetting standards have been tightened in recent years. However, the damage to public trust and confidence in the force is acknowledged as significant.

Synthesis

The failures in Metropolitan Police vetting procedures between 2019 and 2023 represent a serious breach of public trust and a significant risk to public safety. Driven by recruitment pressures and a compromised approach to background checks, the force allowed individuals with histories of serious offenses to join its ranks. While corrective measures are being implemented, the cases of David Carrick and Cliff Mitchell serve as stark reminders of the potentially devastating consequences of inadequate vetting and the importance of prioritizing thoroughness over speed in law enforcement recruitment.