25 March 2024 , 18:01
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Everyone applying to become a police officer will face a home visit as part of an overhaul of the recruitment process following the murder of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens.
Tougher vetting will be used in a bid to better understand a candidate’s motivation for joining the police, with family members and housemates questioned.
Couzens, who was a serving officer in the Metropolitan Police, abducted the 33-year-old in London in March 2021 before raping and murdering her. Earlier this month a damning report by Lady Elish Angiolini found at least three forces missed chances to stop Couzens.
The inquiry chief also warned that without a significant overhaul of policing practices there was "nothing to stop another Couzens operating in plain sight". The Home Office, National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing said yesterday it would accept all her recommendations.
A public information campaign will be used to encourage victims of indecent exposure to report cases so more offenders are brought to justice. Officers have been told to take flashing more seriously amid evidence that people who commit such crimes can escalate their offending. Couzens has now admitted three incidents of indecent exposure prior to the murder, including just days before Ms Everard was taken.
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Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “Sarah’s murder was sickening and, tragically, avoidable. She was fundamentally failed by the institutions which were meant to keep her safe. Since her death, huge strides have already been taken to root out officers not fit to wear the badge and bolster safeguards to prevent the wrong people joining the force.
"Now we will work with policing partners to understand the link between indecent exposure and an escalation in behaviour to ensure the right measures are in place to catch more criminals, earlier.”
The Minister for Victims and Safeguarding Laura Farris added: “Sarah Everard’s murder shocked the nation, devastated her loved ones and has profound implications for the future of policing. The Angiolini Inquiry comprehensively reviewed the facts and circumstances that contributed to Wayne Couzens’ offending and we are grateful to her for her work.
“We have already made a series of significant changes to police vetting, disciplinary and dismissal procedures. But we accept her further recommendations on non-contact offences and the escalatory risk that they may pose. We are determined to leave no stone unturned in preventing an offence of this kind from ever happening again.”
Lady Angiolini said: "In accepting all my recommendations, Government and policing have shown they recognise the need for change and are committed to doing everything they can to ensure that there isn't another Wayne Couzens operating in plain sight. I trust that work to implement the recommendations will begin without delay and, as I proceed with part two of the inquiry, I look forward to progress updates from those responsible."