A damning new investigation reveals that dangerous predators with histories of sexual violence are still infiltrating police forces across Britain, despite reforms promised after Wayne Couzens murdered Sarah Everard in 2021.
Story Highlights
- Police vetting failures allowed serial predator Wayne Couzens to serve in elite protection unit despite extensive history of sexual offenses
- Public inquiry found Couzens had allegedly sexually assaulted a child before joining police force but was never properly investigated
- Despite promised reforms after Everard’s murder, experts warn similar predators continue being hired into law enforcement roles
- Couzens exploited his police authority and COVID lockdown restrictions to kidnap, rape, and murder 33-year-old Sarah Everard in March 2021
Catastrophic Vetting Failures Enabled Monster
Wayne Couzens’ path to becoming a police officer represents a stunning failure of institutional safeguards that should protect the public from predators. Dame Elish Angiolini’s public inquiry revealed that Couzens had allegedly committed a serious sexual assault against a teenage girl before joining the police force. Additionally, he carried substantial unsecured debt and engaged in multiple indecent exposure incidents, yet these massive red flags never triggered proper investigation or disqualification from service.
The Metropolitan Police’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command gave Couzens enhanced authority and access to sensitive government areas. This elite assignment occurred despite his documented pattern of predatory behavior, including indecent exposure incidents at a south London restaurant just weeks before murdering Everard. The fact that such a dangerous individual was entrusted with protecting government officials exposes the depth of institutional negligence.
Weaponizing Police Authority for Murder
Couzens systematically planned and executed Everard’s murder by exploiting both his police position and COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. On March 3, 2021, he used his warrant card to falsely arrest the 33-year-old marketing executive under the pretense of COVID guideline violations. This calculated deception allowed him to handcuff and kidnap Everard from a Clapham street, demonstrating how institutional authority can be weaponized by predators.
The timeline of Couzens’ crimes reveals premeditation and calculated cruelty. After kidnapping Everard on March 3, he raped her in the Shepherdswell area between 11:53 PM and 12:57 AM. Two days later, he purchased petrol and burned her body in a refrigerator at Hoad’s Wood. Lord Justice Fulford emphasized during sentencing that Couzens’ abuse of his police position made the crimes “exceptionally high” in seriousness, warranting a whole life sentence.
Systemic Problems Persist Despite Promises
The inquiry’s findings in February 2024 documented comprehensive failures in police recruitment and oversight, yet concerns persist that similar predators continue infiltrating law enforcement. The research indicating that dangerous individuals are “still being given police jobs” suggests that promised reforms remain inadequate or poorly implemented. This represents a fundamental betrayal of public trust and puts countless citizens, particularly women, at continued risk from those sworn to protect them.
The broader implications extend beyond individual cases to institutional accountability and public safety. Couzens’ ability to serve in an elite protection unit while harboring a history of sexual violence demonstrates that current vetting procedures fail to identify and exclude dangerous individuals. This systemic vulnerability undermines the foundational principle that law enforcement officers must be held to the highest standards of conduct and character.
Sources:
Sarah Everard: What happened and Wayne Couzens report – The Independent
Murder of Sarah Everard – Wikipedia
Sarah Everard: A Timeline of Tragedy and Betrayal – Criminal Injuries Helpline