Scotland's top cop has condemned the 'despicable conduct' of a Metropolitan Police officer recently revealed as a rapist.
Sir Iain Livingstone described the actions of PC David Carrick as “absolutely outrageous and despicable conduct from an individual who should have never been in the police service”. Carrick, 48, has been exposed as one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders following a trial at Southwark Crown Court.
The sex attacker admitted 24 counts of rape on eight women, as well as false imprisonment, controlling and coercive behaviour and sexual assault. During his 18-year-long career with the met, the calculated pervert used his position to gain his victim's trust and to scare them into staying silent.
Sir Iain, speaking after he was knighted at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on Wednesday, said his officers and staff “really value our close relationship with the public of Scotland, we have a very close and genuine relationship”.
He added: “Police officers are drawn from the public, the public are the police and the police are the public and nowhere is that truer (than) in Scotland, but we need to earn that trust and that’s something we do every single day.”
His comments came as the force continues an attempted murder investigation after a police officer was hit by a car driven at them in the Scottish capital. In addition, Police Scotland revealed that six of its officers were attacked in three separate incidents within 24 hours between January 12 and 13.
Sir Iain vowed those behind the attacks would be brought to justice.
“Police officers come to work to serve the public, to do the right thing and to keep people safe, and any attack on a police officer, any attack on anybody who is serving the public, is utterly unacceptable, outrageous,” he said.
“We will investigate them thoroughly, we will bring offenders to justice and hold them to account. The safety of officers and staff, the safety of people who serve the public, is of paramount importance.”
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