Scotland Yard Faces Inquiry Over Handling of Indecent Exposure Claim Against Cop Suspected of Killing Sarah Everard

As the investigation into the disappearance and suspected murder of Sarah Everard continues, Scotland Yard is facing an independent inquiry over its handling of an indecent exposure claim made against the policeman now suspected of her abduction. Wayne Couzens, a 48-year-old diplomatic protection officer, was reported for indecent exposure just three days before Everard's disappearance on February 28, but allegedly continued working as an armed officer until his arrest on suspicion of kidnap, murder, and a separate allegation of indecent exposure.

Key Takeaways:

• The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into whether Metropolitan Police Service officers responded appropriately to a report of indecent exposure made against Wayne Couzens on February 28.
• The IOPC is also assessing a referral from the police force in relation to its actions after Everard went missing, including whether Couzens was removed from duty.
• Couzens, a serving officer with Scotland Yard's diplomatic protection command, was accused of exposing himself at a restaurant in south London, just three days before Everard vanished on March 3.
• The allegation was reportedly not escalated to "command level," and Couzens continued to work as an armed officer despite the complaint.
• Police arrested Couzens following a tip-off about a car allegedly spotted on a motorist's dashcam near where Everard was last seen.
• Scotland Yard has referred the matter to the police watchdog, and the officer is currently being questioned after a warrant of further detention was granted.
• Police are still searching for evidence at Hoard's Wood near Ashford, Kent, a private 500-acre patch thick with trees and brambles, where human remains were found.
• Victim Support reported a surge in calls from concerned women, with the events prompting an outpouring of shock and anger across the country.

Statistics:

• 3: The number of days between the indecent exposure report and Sarah Everard's disappearance.
• 30: The distance in miles between PC Couzens's home address in Deal, Kent, and the woodland near Ashford where human remains were found.
• 500: The number of acres in the private woodland where police are searching for evidence.
• 10,000: The fine police threatened organizers of a vigil planned for Sarah Everard with for breaking lockdown rules.

Sources:

• The Mail - exactly as mentioned in the original text.
• "Unconscious in a custody cell" - image caption.
• "Dependable: Sarah Everard supported a mental health charity" - extracted from the original article.