China News Service, January 19 (Xinhua) Comprehensive foreign media reports, a few days ago, the British Metropolitan Police Department in London exposed a scandal.
David Carrick, a 48-year-old serving policeman, admitted to "using his position to abuse women" and committed 49 offenses over nearly 20 years, including 24 counts of rape.
The incident has reignited calls for urgent reform of Britain's largest police force.
London Metropolitan Police Chief Raleigh issued a statement on the 17th saying that more than 1,600 sexual crimes and domestic abuse allegations involving nearly 1,100 police officers were being investigated.
Image source: Screenshot of CNN report
According to CNN, Carrick pleaded guilty in court on the 16th, pleading guilty to four counts of rape, false imprisonment and indecency related to a 40-year-old woman in 2003.
Carrick also pleaded guilty to 43 charges, including 20 counts of rape, involving 11 other women between March 2004 and September 2020 at London's Old Bailey Crown Court last month.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) described it as one of the "most egregious" cases.
"The level of humiliation that Carrick has subjected his victims to is unlike anything I have encountered in my 34 years with the Crown Prosecution Service," CPS Chief Crown Prosecutor Jaswant Nawal said.
Iain Moor, the senior investigating officer in charge of the case, described Carrick's crimes as "truly appalling".
“Police departments are committed to addressing all forms of violence against women and girls,” Moore said. “No one is above the law.”
The report pointed out that the Carrick case shows that the internal management of the London Metropolitan Police is extremely chaotic.
British women's rights group has called for an investigation into the Metropolitan Police.
The British Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women also posted on social media Twitter, saying, "(London's Metropolitan Police) is an institution in crisis. The Metropolitan Police knew Carrick's bad behavior at all, but they did not take action Any action, action speaks louder than empty promises to women."
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Rowley, the chief of the London Metropolitan Police, apologized for the case, admitting that the London police "let down women and let down the citizens of London".
Raleigh issued a statement on the 17th saying that it is investigating 1,633 sexual crimes and domestic abuse allegations involving nearly 1,100 police officers in the past 10 years.
"If the evidence is overwhelming, those involved will be fired and all 45,000 staff will be rechecked to see if there are any breaches that have been missed."
British Prime Minister Sunak's spokesman said Carrick's crimes were extremely heinous and appalling, and the police force must remove such officers to rebuild public trust.
The spokesman said the Home Office was "push forward with reform" after previously announcing a review of some police dismissals to "ensure that the system is fair and effective in dismissing officers who are unfit for service".