NewsUK NewsMetropolitan PolicePC Rupert Edwards is set to face an accelerated misconduct hearing after being convicted of rape12:54, 22 May 2026Updated 13:10, 22 May 2026A police officer has been found guilty of raping a woman.PC Rupert Edwards, attached to the South West Command Unit of the Metropolitan Police, raped the woman after a New Year’s Eve party in January 2018 while he was off duty. The offence was reported to police in October 2023.Edwards was convicted at Southwark Crown Court on Friday and is due to be sentenced on July 10.He is set to face an accelerated misconduct hearing as disciplinary proceedings had been paused to avoid impacting the criminal proceedings.Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles, in charge of policing for south-west London, said: "This was a despicable offence and I have huge admiration and gratitude for the victim for having the courage to come forward and report PC Edwards."Detectives in this case carried out a diligent investigation, ensuring PC Edwards was charged at the earliest opportunity and that the most compelling evidence was brought before the courts."It was a bold step to use evidence from his previous trial to support this latest prosecution and demonstrates our commitment to supporting victims of police-perpetrated abuse."Dangerous offenders of all types who seek to harm women and girls will be relentlessly pursued and justice will be served."My message to anyone who may have experienced something that didn’t feel right is that you can and should come forward. You will be listened to, and we will do everything we can to support you."Edwards was arrested in April 2024 and charged with rape in March 2025. During the trial, the court heard evidence from two previous cases involving Edwards relating to allegations that he had raped two separate women in August and September 2022.While juries in those cases returned not guilty verdicts, prosecutors were able to present elements of that evidence - including recorded interviews and court cross-examination of the victims - as part of the prosecution case in this trial.Barristers also provided the jury with relevant context from those previous cases to support their understanding of the evidence.This approach revealed "concerning similarities in Edwards’ behaviour" and played a key role in securing his conviction, the Met said.The victim in this case, along with those involved in the previous cases, have been supported by specialist officers.In a statement, the force said it had "worked relentlessly and at an unprecedented pace over the last three-and-a-half years to raise professional standards across the organisation", adding that more than 1,500 officers have left who did not meet those standards.Article continues belowThe force also said it has invested in 200 more professionalism officers who are focused on uncovering and dealing with wrongdoing.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Metropolitan PoliceBreaking News