UK Police Officer Charged With 21 Offenses Including Rape and Sexual Assault

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Facts

  • A former officer from London's Metropolitan Police Service was charged on Aug. 13 with 21 offenses including two counts of rape and 15 charges of sexual assault.[1]
  • Mark Tyrrell, 55, was part of the Met's Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command—the same unit that David Carrick and Wayne Couzens, former officers convicted of serious sexual offenses, also served.[2]
  • Carrick was last year sentenced to a minimum of 32 years in prison after pleading guilty to 49 charges, including 24 counts of rape, for offenses committed between 2000 and 2021.[3]
  • Meanwhile, Couzens was given a whole-life sentence in 2021 after being found guilty of the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard. Last year, he was given an additional sentence of 19 months for indecent exposure.[4][5]
  • There was no suggestion that Tyrrell knew the other officers, and he was charged following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. His charges include three counts of perverting the course of justice and one for misconduct in public office.[2]
  • All the charges relate to one female victim, the Office said. Tyrrell will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Sept. 4.[6]

Sources: [1]Mynewsdesk, [2]Guardian (a), [3]BBC News (a), [4]BBC News (b), [5]Guardian (b) and [6]Policeconduct.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Mynewsdesk. Following a review by Baroness Louise Casey, London's Metropolitan Police is taking significant steps to root out those who don't meet the standards expected for the capital's police force. This includes more proactive investigations and better training and support for all police officers.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by POLITICO. The Casey report found that London's Metropolitan Police Service is institutionally racist, misogynistic, and homophobic. It has a long way to go before it can re-earn the public's trust — a tall order that likely won't be achieved in our lifetimes.