Ex-Met Officer Faces Multiple Sexual Assault Charges in London
A former Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with numerous sexual offenses, including rape, against one victim. The case has prompted comparisons to previous incidents within the force.
Mark Tyrell, a 55-year-old former Metropolitan Police officer, is facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct. The ex-officer has been charged with 15 counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape, all pertaining to a single alleged victim. These offenses are said to have occurred over a six-year period, from 2017 to 2023.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales, initiated an investigation into Tyrell in April 2023. This action followed a conduct referral from the Metropolitan Police Service, one of the oldest police forces in the world, established in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel.
In addition to the sexual offense charges, Tyrell faces accusations of perverting the course of justice. This serious offense involves alleged attempts to interfere with the administration of justice, including deleting messages, pressuring the alleged victim to provide false accounts, and lying during a cautionary interview.
The case against Tyrell also includes a charge of misconduct in public office, a common law offense in the UK. It is alleged that he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with the victim, whom he met during his policing duties, knowing she was in a vulnerable position.
Tyrell was previously assigned to the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, a specialized unit established in 2015 responsible for safeguarding government and diplomatic buildings in London. This detail has drawn comparisons to the case of Wayne Couzens, another former officer from the same unit who was convicted of the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021.
The Couzens case sparked widespread discussions about women's safety and police conduct, leading to a comprehensive review of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command. The Metropolitan Police, which employs over 30,000 officers, announced a "root and branch review" of the unit, focusing on recruitment, vetting, culture, professional standards, and supervision.
It's worth noting that police officers in the UK can retire or resign while under investigation for misconduct, as Tyrell did during the IOPC inquiry. This practice has been a subject of debate in recent years.
Tyrell is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court, one of the most renowned magistrates' courts in England. As the case unfolds, it continues to raise questions about police conduct and the effectiveness of current vetting procedures within law enforcement agencies.
"The IOPC launched an investigation in April 2023 after the Met made a conduct referral about Tyrell to the watchdog."
This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by police forces in maintaining public trust and ensuring the integrity of their officers. As the legal proceedings against Tyrell progress, they will likely contribute to the broader conversation about police reform and accountability in the UK.
