Hertfordshire’s police force already has checks and balances in place to respond to concerns raised in the Casey Report, an officer has said.

Speaking in Stevenage, the town where former police officer David Carrick lived, Inspector Patrick McPeake told councillors his force is still taking time to fully understand what the London behaviour and culture probe means for the national picture.

The report, written after the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by Metropolitan Police officer Waynes Couzens in 2021, was published earlier this month.

Led by Baroness Louise Casey, the investigation looks at behaviour and workplace culture in the Met, and how that has affected attitudes towards governance and scrutiny, homophobia, sexism and misogyny, and racism.

The final report makes reference to the case of former PC Carrick, from Stevenage, who worked in the Metropoltian Police and pleaded guilty to 49 offences against 12 women, including 24 counts of rape, in January 2023.

In an update to the Stevenage Borough Council Community Select Committee, Inspector McPeake said: “What has gone on in the Met has impacted public confidence in policing.

“In Hertfordshire, there were processes and procedures in place prior to this report.

“I am very very confident these already address the issues raised.

“People in Hertfordshire have the mechanism to come forward if they have any concerns about police behaviour.

“We have the process in place for the public and other members of staff to complain about the conduct of officers.

“We will have to see what national steps are taken as a result of the Casey Review and we will try to understand what they mean for Hertfordshire Constabulary in the future.”

Inspector McPeake said staff have been actively encouraged to “call it out” if they see bad behaviour, and members of the public can follow a complaints process online.

Hertfordshire Constabulary gained White Ribbon accreditation in November 2022 to mark officers’ work to tackle violence against women and girls.