A senior Met Police firearms inspector has been arrested on suspicion of rape, in a shocking incident that reportedly took place in front of his colleagues at a firearms training base in Gravesend, Kent. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the unit.
The inspector, who is nearing retirement, is alleged to have committed the offences over a ten-year period between 2013 and 2023. He has been bailed until September and has been suspended from duty pending further investigation.
The officer is a member of Scotland Yard’s specialist MO19 firearms command, which deals with terrorist threats and provides an armed response across London.
A Met Police spokesperson confirmed the arrest: “A serving Met officer has been arrested on suspicion of rape and other offences. The officer, an inspector in the Met’s Specialist Firearms Command, was arrested on Monday, 24 June. The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2013 and 2023. He was bailed to return in mid-September, pending further enquiries. He has been suspended from duty.”
The Metropolitan Police has informed the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) about the arrest. An IOPC spokesperson stated: “We received a mandatory conduct referral from the Metropolitan Police Service on 26 June 2024 following the arrest earlier that week of a Met officer on suspicion of multiple offences. After carefully considering the referral we decided, given the officer has already been arrested and interviewed by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, that the Met should continue with its investigation.
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards is leading the investigation into the allegations. The officer’s suspension will remain in effect while the investigation continues.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about misconduct within police ranks and the importance of rigorous oversight and accountability for law enforcement officers. The Met Police and IOPC have both stressed their commitment to a thorough and transparent investigation.
