By Ben Kerrigan-
The police watchdog is investigating whether Metropolitan Police officers responded appropriately to an allegation of indecent exposure made against the suspect held over tragic Sarah Everard’s disappearance.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the investigation followed a conduct referral from the Metropolitan Police (MPS) in relation to two officers, received on Wednesday.
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It meant that 48 year old Wayne Couzens still working as a gun cop for three days and free to allegedly snatch 33-year-old Sarah on March 3.
Cops failed to act and arrest Couzens over the accusation of indecent exposure at fast food take away in South London on February 28.
Everard’s remains were found on Thursday after a police search, with accompanying shocking news that the suspect was a serving police of meant he was still working as a gun cop for three days and free to allegedly snatch 33-year-old Sarah on March 3.
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The watchdog said the Met referral was one of five “all connected to the arrest of a serving MPS officer on suspicion of kidnap, murder and a separate allegation of indecent exposure”.
The news is a blow to the reputation of the police, and could question their vetting process. On the other hand, the police deserve credit for catching the officer, and getting him charged.
In a statement, the IOPC said its investigation will look at the actions of the MPS after police received a report on 28 February that a man had exposed himself at a fast food restaurant in South London.
It added that two conduct referrals relating to kidnap/murder and indecent exposure allegations against the arrested officer should remain under local investigation by the force.
“We are still assessing a mandatory referral in relation to the actions of the police, after they received a report that Sarah Everard was missing,” it went on.
The IOPC said a fifth mandatory referral was received from the Met “in relation to police contact with the arrested officer who was treated in hospital after sustaining a head injury while in custody”.
“That referral is also being assessed to determine what further action may be required from us,” the watchdog continued.
The Met added that the suspect was “being monitored by CCTV and received immediate first aid” and they await the IOPC’s assessment.
The suspect has now been discharged from hospital and returned to a police station, the Met said.
The serving Met Police officer was arrested on Tuesday night on suspicion of kidnap, then later of murder.
Cops have not yet stated the motive for the killing,
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