Beggars Belief: Herts Police has 16 officers involved in sexual assault allegations in 21 separate cases of alleged rape or sexual abuse
By Will Durant - Local Democracy Reporter
6th Mar 2023 | Local News
Absolutely shocking: The police force which investigated serial rapist David Carrick has had 16 of its own officers involved in a sexual assault allegation since 2013.
In addition to the 16 officers or staff involved, Hertfordshire Constabulary knows about 21 separate allegations of sexual assault or rape involving its current employees between January 2013 to January 2023 , according to a Freedom of Information request by the LDRS.
The force also has records of 40 allegations of domestic abuse involving its own officers and staff across the decade, with 23 serving employees having been involved in a domestic abuse allegation throughout the period.
The way the data is recorded means some allegations may relate to the same event.
Hertfordshire Police were responsible for investigating Carrick, who was a serving Metropolitan Police officer when he was arrested at his home in Stevenage in October 2021.
The 48-year-old from Stevenage has since pleaded guilty to 85 offences across 49 charges – including 24 counts of rape and three counts of coercive and controlling behaviour.
He was sentenced to at least 30 years in prison on February 7 this year.
'Majority of officers strive to protect most vulnerable'
Hertfordshire Assistant Chief Constable Genna Telfer said it is right police across the UK learn lessons from the Carrick case.
She said: "In the wake of the recent sentencing of Met police officer David Carrick it is only right that the police service as a whole should be subjected to closer scrutiny.
"David Carrick acted in the most appalling way causing significant harm to his victims and damaging wider confidence in the police service. It is vital that as a service nationally we learn from this case and take any associated action.
"The majority of hard working officers strive to protect the most vulnerable rather than cause harm and there is no place in policing for individuals like David Carrick."
Over the decade to January 2023, the Hertfordshire force has dismissed three of its officers or staff following a sexual assault allegation or conviction.
The constabulary has also dealt with 50 reports of domestic abuse involving serving or former police officers from any force – Hertfordshire, London and beyond – and three sexual assault reports for officers' involvement in sexual assault or rape.
In 2022, at least three officers with links to Hertfordshire Constabulary were jailed for their involvement in sex crimes.
James Ford, aged 31, formerly of Bishop's Stortford, was jailed for more than 18 years after he was found guilty of raping a girl under the age of 13.
Ben Pitelen, aged 45, who worked in Stevenage, was sentenced to 25 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children.
Stuart Cheek, aged 43, who worked in Welwyn Garden City, resigned from the force in June 2022, pleaded guilty to possessing extreme porn, and was jailed for a year.
Pitelen and Cheek were not charged with sexual assault or rape.
Extra training for Herts Police officers
ACC Telfer said officers in Hertfordshire are carrying out extra training centred around a national code of ethics.
She said: "The constabulary is committed to ensuring that all officers and staff maintain the highest possible standards of conduct and behaviour.
"We have worked to ensure that all colleagues understand this and are empowered to challenge or report inappropriate or criminal behaviour wherever it suspected – this has included an internal awareness campaign that launched last year and continues to run.
"We have worked with our Professional Standards Department to ensure that our vetting, misconduct and investigation procedures are robust.
"Where reports of criminal or abusive behaviour committed by officers and staff, they are appropriately investigated and where there is evidence of wrongdoing criminal charges and/or misconduct proceedings have been brought.
"Misconduct hearings are managed independently and held in public to ensure fairness and transparency.
"Where there is allegation of a crime, another force will carry out the investigation."
ACC Telfer said officers in Hertfordshire stand ready to investigate recent and historic sex cases.
She urged victims to contact Hertfordshire's victim care centre called Beacon on 03000 11 55 55, or online (https://hertfordshirebeacon.org/).
The Metropolitan Police has already looked at allegations of domestic abuse and sexual offences following David Carrick's guilty pleas.
New Scotland Yard found 1,633 cases involving 1,071 officers and staff over the course of a decade.
According to the latest data, the Met employs more than 34,000 police officers and more than 10,250 staff.
Hertfordshire Constabulary employs more than 2,200 officers and over 1,600 staff.
Sir Mark Rowley is Metropolitan Police commissioner. After Carrick was sentenced, he said: "David Carrick's crimes were unspeakably evil.
"The detail is harrowing. He subjected these victims and survivors to the most degrading and inhumane treatment and yet they still showed the courage to come forward and to provide the evidence that led to his conviction.
"He exploited his position as a police officer in the most disgusting way. He should not have been a police officer.
"We weren't rigorous enough in our approach and as a result we missed opportunities to identify the warning signs over decades.
"I want to again reiterate my apology on behalf of the Met. We are truly sorry."
Sir Mark said the force had "let down women across London" and promised to "rid the Met of those who corrupt our integrity".
An update on the Met's progress in setting out which actions it will take to develop its integrity is expected on March 31.
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