Senior armed Met Police inspector arrested on suspicion of rape 'in front of colleagues at firearms training base'

A senior Met Police firearms inspector has been arrested on suspicion of rape. 

The arrest of the officer reportedly took place in front of his colleagues at a firearms training base in Gravesend, Kent, and has sent 'shockwaves' through the unit. 

The offences are alleged to have taken place over a ten year period between 2013 and 2023. 

The inspector, who is said to be nearing retirement, has been bailed until September and has been suspended from duty. 

He is a member of Scotland Yard's specialist MO19 firearms command which deals with terrorist threats and provides an armed response across London.   

One source told The Sun the arrest had 'sent shockwaves through the base as he is a big cheese'.

The Met Police has informed police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) about the arrest.  

A Met spokesperson said: '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.'

A spokesperson for the IOPC said: '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.'