When a police officer is raped by a colleague, the betrayal cuts deeper than the crime itself. For one female officer, the ordeal did not end with the attack by David Carrick, the Metropolitan Police officer who was later convicted of dozens of sexual offences. It continued through a legal process in which the force she served challenged the severity of her trauma. Now, having received a six-figure settlement from the Met, she is calling for the resignation of its commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, arguing that the culture that allowed Carrick to operate has not been sufficiently addressed.
The officer, Linda Williams, has spoken publicly about her experience, saying the worst part was not only the assault but the way the Met's legal team questioned her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suggesting it could not be severe because she had been raped only once. That argument, she said, added insult to injury and reflected a broader institutional failure to take sexual violence seriously, even when the victim is one of their own.
The Case That Shook the Met
David Carrick's crimes were staggering in their scale and duration. A serving armed officer, he used his position to intimidate and control women over nearly two decades. He was eventually convicted of multiple rapes and sexual assaults, receiving a life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years. The case exposed systemic failures in vetting, supervision, and complaints handling within the Metropolitan Police, prompting widespread calls for reform.
For Linda Williams, the nightmare began when she was raped by Carrick. She reported the assault, but the path to justice was far from straightforward. During the civil claim for compensation, lawyers representing the Met commissioner challenged the extent of her psychological injury. According to Williams, they argued that because she had been raped only once, her PTSD could not be as severe as claimed. This line of attack, she says, was deeply damaging and demonstrated a lack of empathy and understanding of trauma.
The settlement, reportedly a six-figure sum, acknowledges the harm she suffered. But for Williams, money is not the point. She wants accountability at the top. She believes that Sir Mark Rowley, who took over as commissioner in September 2022 with a mandate to clean up the force, has not done enough to change the culture that allowed Carrick to thrive. In her view, his position is untenable.
Why the Commissioner's Resignation Is Being Demanded
Sir Mark Rowley has publicly apologised for Carrick's crimes and acknowledged that the force let down victims. He has outlined plans to overhaul vetting procedures, increase scrutiny of officers, and improve support for victims. However, critics argue that these measures are too little, too late, and that the Met's legal tactics in Williams's case reveal a continuing pattern of defensiveness and victim-blaming.
The demand for Rowley's resignation is not isolated. It comes amid growing pressure on the Met over a series of scandals, including the handling of the Sarah Everard case and the culture of misogyny exposed by various inquiries. For many, the treatment of Linda Williams is symbolic of a force that still struggles to treat victims with dignity, especially when the perpetrator is one of its own.
Rowley has defended his record, pointing to the dismissal of hundreds of officers for misconduct and the introduction of new training programmes. But Williams argues that real change requires leadership that listens to victims and holds itself to the same standards it expects of others. She says that by challenging her PTSD, the Met's lawyers were effectively re-traumatising her, and that this approach is indicative of a broader problem.
The Human Cost of Legal Tactics
Legal challenges to victim claims are not uncommon, but the nature of the argument in this case has raised eyebrows. Suggesting that a single rape cannot cause severe PTSD is not only scientifically questionable but also profoundly insensitive. Mental health professionals emphasise that trauma responses vary widely and are not determined by the number of incidents. The Met's decision to pursue this line of defence has been criticised as a form of secondary victimisation.
For Williams, the experience has been isolating. She has spoken about the difficulty of reliving the assault during legal proceedings and the frustration of having her credibility questioned. Despite the settlement, she remains determined to speak out so that other victims do not face the same treatment. Her call for Rowley's resignation is therefore not just about one case but about a system that she believes is still failing to protect and respect women.
The Met has not commented specifically on the settlement details, but it has previously stated that it is committed to learning from the Carrick case and improving its response to sexual violence. However, actions speak louder than words, and for many, the legal challenge to Williams's PTSD is a glaring example of the gap between rhetoric and reality.
What This Means for the Met and Beyond
The fallout from the Carrick case continues to reverberate through the Metropolitan Police and beyond. It has sparked a national conversation about police culture, the handling of sexual misconduct allegations, and the support available to victims. The government has introduced measures to strengthen vetting and to make it easier to dismiss officers who fail to meet standards. But cultural change is slow, and trust is hard to rebuild.
For Linda Williams, the settlement is a form of justice, but it does not erase the trauma or the sense of betrayal. She hopes that by speaking out, she can force the Met to confront its shortcomings and ensure that future victims are treated with compassion and respect. Whether Sir Mark Rowley stays or goes, her story highlights the urgent need for a fundamental shift in how the police handle sexual violence, particularly when the perpetrator is one of their own.
The decision to challenge the severity of Williams's PTSD may have been a legal tactic, but it had real human consequences. It sent a message that victims' suffering will be scrutinised and minimised. That message must be reversed if the Met is to regain public confidence. As Williams puts it, the worst thing was not the rape itself but the way she was treated afterwards. Until that changes, calls for resignations and reforms will continue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is David Carrick and what was he convicted of?
David Carrick is a former Metropolitan Police officer who was convicted of multiple rapes and sexual assaults against women over a period of nearly two decades. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 30 years.
Why is Linda Williams calling for Sir Mark Rowley to resign?
Linda Williams, a female police officer who was raped by Carrick, believes that Sir Mark Rowley has not done enough to change the culture within the Met that allowed Carrick to operate. She points to the force's legal challenge to her PTSD as evidence of a continuing failure to support victims.
What was the legal challenge regarding Linda Williams's PTSD?
During her compensation claim, lawyers for the Met commissioner argued that her PTSD could not be severe because she had been raped only once. Williams says this was deeply damaging and insensitive, and highlights a broader problem in how the Met treats victims of sexual violence.
How much was the settlement and what does it signify?
The settlement was a six-figure sum, according to reports. While the exact amount is not publicly confirmed, it represents an acknowledgment of the harm Williams suffered. However, Williams stresses that the money is not the main issue; she seeks accountability and cultural change.
What changes has the Met promised in response to the Carrick case?
The Met has promised to overhaul vetting procedures, increase scrutiny of officers, and improve support for victims. Sir Mark Rowley has apologised for Carrick's crimes and acknowledged that the force let down victims. Critics argue that these measures are insufficient and that more needs to be done to rebuild trust.