Detective Constable Linda Williams, a serving Metropolitan Police officer, has publicly called for the resignation of Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, following her six-figure settlement in a civil claim against the force. Williams, who waived her anonymity, alleged that the Metropolitan Police failed to protect her from serial rapist and former officer David Carrick, who raped her in 2004. She described the Met's handling of her civil case as “devastating” and likened it to being “raped all over again,” stating it drove her to contemplate suicide.

This public demand for new leadership underscores the ongoing crisis of confidence in the Metropolitan Police's commitment to reform and its ability to handle sexual assault cases and internal misconduct effectively. Williams believes fundamental change requires new leadership to address the force's cultural issues.

What the Records Show

Linda Williams, 60, was attacked by David Carrick in 2004. Carrick, an armed officer, joined the Met in 2001 and committed crimes between at least 1989 and 2021. He later pleaded guilty to 49 charges, including 24 counts of rape against 12 women. Carrick received multiple life sentences, including 37 life sentences.

Williams did not report the rape in 2004, stating that the Met’s prevailing culture would have jeopardized her career and ensured Carrick’s impunity. She explained that she would have been “the officer who alleged I had been raped by a fellow officer” without the support of colleagues. She reported the attack in 2021, after Carrick was charged in another case. Her civil claim against the Met argued that the force failed to protect her and that its institutional environment prevented her from reporting the rape earlier. The claim was settled for a six-figure sum, with the Metropolitan Police paying compensation without admitting liability. Williams stated that 90% of her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was attributable to the Met’s actions, with only 10% from Carrick’s attack. Williams believes that fundamental change within the Met necessitates new leadership.

The Timeline

David Carrick joined the Metropolitan Police in 2001. His crimes spanned from 1989 to 2021. In 2004, Carrick raped Linda Williams. Between 2000 and 2021, the Met Police acknowledged nine “missed opportunities” to address Carrick’s behavior, despite various allegations against him. Williams reported the rape in 2021. Sir Mark Rowley took office as Met Commissioner in 2022, pledging reform. In 2023, Carrick was jailed for his sexual offenses. A report that same year found the Met to be institutionally misogynistic. Williams publicly called for Commissioner Rowley's resignation after settling her civil claim.

What Changed and For Whom

Linda Williams, a Detective Constable, decided to waive her anonymity to speak out. She stated that the lengthy legal proceedings were “horrific” and left her contemplating suicide. Despite the financial settlement, she feels that little has changed in the force's culture and stated, “If I was raped tomorrow, I wouldn't report it,” citing a perceived lack of empathy and support from the police. Sir Mark Rowley assumed leadership of the Met in 2022. He took office during a period of intense scrutiny and pledged to reform the force.

What the Subject Has Said Publicly

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police acknowledged “serious flaws” in past investigations, stating, “we did not spot his pattern of abusive behaviour”. The spokesperson expressed regret for these missed opportunities and recognized the “unique and additional impact on DC Linda Williams, whose exposure to Carrick came as a result of her being a Met officer”. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has not directly responded to Williams's call for his resignation, but he has pledged to overhaul the troubled force since taking office in 2022. He previously stated he would not use the labels of institutionally racist, misogynistic, and homophobic for the force, despite the Casey report’s findings.

What We Could Not Confirm

We could not confirm if Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley plans to address Detective Constable Linda Williams's specific call for his resignation. We also could not confirm the exact amount of the six-figure settlement received by Williams.