London
The Sunday Review
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Wayne Couzens was a former London officer of police who abducted and raped women and then murdered them. Sarah Everard It was 2021. sentenced To 19 additional months in prison for indecent exposure He was serving with the force when he experienced incidents.
Couzens was 50 and had already been sentenced to a life term without any possibility of parole. for Death of a 33 year-old EverardThe incident sparked anger towards the Metropolitan Police, and triggered a national discussion about violence against women.
Additionally, he was sentenced Monday for Three occasions in three months preceding the murder, he had exposed himself to women. Two occurred at a fast-food restaurant – the latter of which was just days before he murdered Everard – and another took place while Couzens was on shift with the police.
Couzens appeared via video link from prison during Monday’s hearing. According to the court, Couzens was naked while masturbating and pedigreeing in front of a female bicycle rider in Kent’s wooded area, November 2020. He had been supposed to be at home working remotely.
Couzens, then, displayed his protruding penis to employees at a fast-food drive-through on two separate dates in February 2021. He also picked up food in the car.
This second incident happened on February 27th; Couzens was abducted days later, March 3rd. Everard South London
Couzens pleaded not guilty on Monday to the fourth offense. indecent exposure An alleged June 2015 incident led to a charge. PA Media in the UK reported that this charge was not filed and that he would not be charged.
After a string of scandals that included cases of violence against women, and accusations of misogynistic or protective culture within the Met Police force, confidence in this police force plummeted.
The crisis began after Couzens’ murder of EverardThe shocking news shocked Britain, and brought Scotland Yard into sharp focus. The 33-year-old was walking to her London home on March 3 when Couzens used his police identification and handcuffs to deceive her into getting in his car under the pretense that she had violated Covid-19 pandemic rules. Later that night, he raped and strangled her using his police belt.
The police were then criticized for Their savage tactics during a vigil for Everard Clapham in south London is where she was last seen. for Not addressing red flags of his behavior earlier.
Two officers currently face misconduct hearings regarding their handling of separate incidents. indecent exposure Information about Couzens and the Independent Office for Last month, the Police Conduct (IOPC), was confirmed.
David Carrick, a former Met senior officer, admitted to 49 offences, including 24 counts for rape over an 18 year period. This sparked another round of anger. Critics call it for a root-and-branch inquiry into its the Met’s operations and its process in dealing with complaints.
Mark Rowley, Met Commissioner, apologizes for The interview was distributed to UK broadcasters on January and outlines the failures that caused Carrick to not be caught sooner.
He said that he would review all red flag employees and announce: “I’m sorry and I know we’ve let women down. I think we failed over two decades to be as ruthless as we ought to be in guarding our own integrity.”
A report last fall found that when a family member or a fellow officer filed a complaint, it took on average 400 days – more than an entire year – for An allegation of misconduct must be addressed.
