Two cops will face misconduct hearings over Wayne Couzens' indecent exposure

14 February 2023 , 13:36

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Wayne Couzens (pictured), 49, pleaded guilty on Monday to three counts of indecent exposure in Kent (Image: PA)

Two police officers face misconduct cases over the handling of reports of indecent exposure by Wayne Couzens before he went on to abduct, rape and murder Sarah Everard.

A Metropolitan Police constable has a case to answer for gross misconduct and a Kent Police sergeant will face a misconduct meeting over the separate reports of flashing by the then Met officer Couzens, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

Couzens, 49, pleaded guilty on Monday to three counts of indecent exposure in Kent between November 2020 and February 2021.

IOPC Regional Director Sal Naseem said: "We have been unable to publish our findings until now due to the risk of prejudicing criminal proceedings against Couzens.

Wayne Couzens admitted the murder of Sarah Everard (Kent Messenger / SWNS)

"Now that those have concluded it will be for the Metropolitan and Kent police forces to organise disciplinary proceedings which will consider the evidence we have gathered and determine whether the allegations against the officers are proven or not."

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The Met constable is alleged to have breached force standards of professional behaviour for duties and responsibilities for apparent failings over the way inquiries were progressed.

The officer is also accused of breaching the standards relating to honesty and integrity over parts of an account provided to IOPC investigators in respect of the alleged failings.

In a statement, the IOPC said: "We concluded that the constable has a case to answer for gross misconduct and it will be for the MPS to organise the misconduct hearing, at which a panel led by an independent and legally qualified chair will decide whether the allegations are proven.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley speaking to the media outside New Scotland Yard last week (PA)

"We also found that another MPS officer had no case to answer, regarding their supervision of the indecent exposure enquiries."

The Kent Police sergeant is alleged to have failed in following all reasonable lines of enquiry before the case was closed.

The IOPC added: "Kent Police will organise a misconduct meeting at which the officer will face allegations amounting to a breach of the police professional standards for duties and responsibilities.

"Our investigation was completed in March (2022)."

The report is set to be published following the conclusion of both proceedings.

Katie Weston