Sarah Everard Case: Policeman arrested and charged

[LondonJohn]

This is turning into a complete cluster .... for the Metropolitan Police;

https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/ne...mps-officers-after-indecent-exposure-reported

The Met have been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct regarding

1 - "whether Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers responded appropriately to a report of indecent exposure" relating to the arrested officer.
2 - "two conduct referrals relating to kidnap/murder and indecent exposure allegations against the arrested officer should remain under local investigation by the force."
3 - "a mandatory referral in relation to the actions of police after they received a report that Sarah Everard was missing."
4 - "A fifth mandatory referral was received from the MPS today in relation to police contact with the arrested officer who was treated in hospital after sustaining a head injury while in custody"

Well to be more accurate: they've referred themselves to the IOPC. And given the high profile of the case, I suspect they want to be seen to be acting in the strictest probity. It certainly doesn't necessarily stand to reason that they will ultimately be found in breach by the IOPC on any one of those four referrals.

 

[Bob001]

He hasn't been charged with anything yet.

Fell at the first hurdle. Again.


ETA: for clarity, he's currently been arrested on suspicion of abduction and murder, and is being questioned accordingly.

Is that the same as "assisting police with their inquiries?"

 

[LondonJohn]

No idea. It could be an assault, self harm or he just tripped. It could be quite minor, but a head injury always results in a hospital check up.

I see the update re CCTV, it is normal for anyone in custody regarding a murder to be kept on constant obs. He could just have fallen in the cell.

From what I can infer, I think he did something like take a run at one of the cell walls and headbutt it, perhaps in an attempt to kill or seriously injure himself. But that's just my inference - he may indeed just have slipped as he was using the toilet or something (though there really aren't many hard edges or sharp corners in police cells, I imagine).

 

[LondonJohn]

Is that the same as "assisting police with their inquiries?"

It is, though that phrase is rarely (if ever) used these days. The common wording now is something more like: "Mr X is being held in custody and is being questioned in connection with Crime Y"

 

[LondonJohn]

I think what happened here, is because Sarah was officially 'missing' (and I don't think they have identified the body as hers, yet [it might not be as it is said to be in a 'poor state']) and they had been stalking this guy for a couple of days to see if he would lead them to her - having captured his car on CCTV at the same time Sarah Everard was last seen on someone's doorbell camera - they were spotted by his neighbours sitting in an unmarked car outside his house (so not very discreet, then). Because these neighbours tipped off the press about all of the police activity, some how his name got leaked when police swooped in to arrest him.

That's as maybe. However, the (responsible) media can and do take steps not to amplify and repeat "what the neighbours saw". The BBC website, for example, still (9.25pm Thurs) hasn't published this man's name. That's exactly as it should be.

In a significant proportion of the more newsworthy criminal cases, there will be neighbours, friends, etc who know that a specific person has been arrested, and may be able to put 2 and 2 together to link them to the crime. It was ever thus. And names like that of the man in the current case get round press and broadcasting newsrooms very quickly. But nobody should be publishing a name, until and unless the person is charged.

As I said before, the very obvious reason why the low-morals sections of the media go to town on someone like this man is that it's no-holds-barred until/unless he's charged (which is very likely to be by this time tomorrow, unless there's a very good reason why the investigating police need more time). After he's charged, they all have to entirely shut up: no more mentioning of his name, his background, what other people might think about him, etc. So they're getting their "monstering" in up-front, while they still can. And the marvellous British public - well, the less pleasant and less classy subsection of the British public - just laps up this sort of stuff. Which is precisely why they keep doing it. Classy all round.

 

[LondonJohn]

According to a newspaper report these CNC 'nuclear' officers are especially picked after rigorous testing for their 'calm state of mind' To me that reads, someone who has no problem pulling a trigger in cold-blood, but not someone with a hairline temper who might pull a trigger out of fright or anger.

So his neighbours described him as calm when he was arrested. So maybe there is a fine line between those who are heroic fighter pilots and bombers in times of war, who would be cold-blooded psychopathic SOB's in peace time.

Where have you got CNC from? He wasn't a CNC officer. He was a member of Parliamentary & Diplomatic Protection Command (PDPC).

(CNC police are the ones who guard nuclear sites and nuclear material in transit....)

 

[Vixen]

Where have you got CNC from? He wasn't a CNC officer. He was a member of Parliamentary & Diplomatic Protection Command (PDPC).

(CNC police are the ones who guard nuclear sites and nuclear material in transit....)

OK soz, I misread it:

It is understood he spent around ten years as a TA reservist with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.

He joined the Met in 2018 after transferring from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC), where he was an authorised firearms officer.

Couzens joined Britain’s nuclear force in 2011 after working at a family business in Dover for around 12 years.

He was initially based at the CNC’s Dungeness site in Kent and also worked on escorts and *counter-terror duties elsewhere.

SUN

 

[Vixen]

How creepy is this? Whoever left the 'human remains' at a woodlands spot, feared to be that of missing woman, Sarah Everard, seems to have made sure that that human would never be identified or named. Sounds like a possible attempt at destroying the body by burning.

Sources said Sarah's body may need to be identified using dental records, a process that could take weeks

DM

People are saying the suspect should have been taken off duty after being investigated for indecent exposure just days before the suspected kidnapping, caught on a CCTV camera at a takeaway.

 

[Monza]

Some years ago, I had a stalker who used to suddenly pull up at the kerb alongside me to the extent I couldn't go out without a male companion.

This is truly scary and I suspect happens much more frequently than you'd think. Both my wife and my brother's wife have had stalkers in their past.

 

[Vixen]

This is truly scary and I suspect happens much more frequently than you'd think. Both my wife and my brother's wife have had stalkers in their past.

The scariest thing of all, Monza, is that this type of man knows they are very likely to completely get away with it. This particular guy - who was a stranger - was on police bail due to my complaint and told to not come within half a mile of my address. It didn't stop him. In the end I just left my home completely and moved elsewhere. On the day of removal, he turned up and parked opposite. I hid behind the big broad removal guy and we had to drive all around London as the stalker pursued us.

A ex-'s sister was bombarded with unwanted deliveries when she split from a former boyfriend.

I am not sure what the solution to all of this is, as Sarah Everard, the missing person did all of the right things, wearing bright clothing.

Oh. News just in, that the body is confirmed to be hers.

 

[Vixen]

This is creepier and creepier. The police are now searching a series of underground old military tunnels near Dover.

The body found in Kent woodland is Sarah Everard, police revealed today.

Detectives investigating the policeman accused of kidnapping and murdering the marketing executive, 33, are today combing the network of military tunnels in the White Cliffs of Dover running under the prime suspect Wayne Couzens' family garage.

Speaking to reporters outside Scotland Yard, Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave said: "As you know, on Wednesday evening detectives investigating the disappearance of Sarah Everard discovered a body secreted in woodland in Kent.

"The body has now been recovered and formal identification procedure has now been undertaken.

"I can now confirm that it is the body of Sarah Everard."

DM

Sad, really sad.

 

[catsmate]

This is creepier and creepier. The police are now searching a series of underground old military tunnels near Dover.

DM

Sad, really sad.

Next question; is it the only body?

 

[zooterkin]

Well to be more accurate: they've referred themselves to the IOPC. And given the high profile of the case, I suspect they want to be seen to be acting in the strictest probity. It certainly doesn't necessarily stand to reason that they will ultimately be found in breach by the IOPC on any one of those four referrals.

Sounds like a job for AC-12.

 

[Bob001]

Where have you got CNC from? He wasn't a CNC officer. He was a member of Parliamentary & Diplomatic Protection Command (PDPC).
....

An armed officer who protects legislators and diplomats? That sounds like a pretty high level of responsibility, way more than a beat cop, as if a U.S. Secret Service agent was arrested for murder. What are the likely consequences for the department?

 

[LondonJohn]

Sounds like a job for AC-12.

Ha yes, that stunningly true-to-life drama

I see from a quick trawl that the usual suspects in the not-quite-Fourth Estate still don't understand what's actually happening re these IPOC referrals. Basically, there are a number of prescribed circumstances in which it's mandatory for an England & Wales police force to refer itself to the IPOC for oversight.

Probably the most well-known of these prescribed circumstances is when police shoot someone dead in the line of duty. Whenever that happens, it automatically triggers a self-referral to the IOPC by the force whose officer(s) were involved. In no way whatsoever does it necessarily imply that the officer(s) acted improperly, unlawfully or illegally. The IOPC will examine the circumstances of the incident, take witness statements and examine physical evidence, and come to a conclusion.

To take things to a logical extreme: suppose The Queen was doing a walkabout in Leicester. Suppose a man broke out from behind the crowd cordon with a gun, and raised it to a firing position aiming at The Queen. Suppose an armed member of Leicestershire Police immediately drew his own weapon and shot the man dead. Leicestershire Police would automatically have to refer itself to the IOPC in those circumstances.

I mean, you'd think that the national press might understand these sorts of things by now... at least to the extent that self-referral to the IOPC is mandatory in certain circumstances and does not imply fault. But I dunno, maybe they do understand it, but think their readerships prefer the false explanation and false inference?

 

[LondonJohn]

An armed officer who protects legislators and diplomats? That sounds like a pretty high level of responsibility, way more than a beat cop, as if a U.S. Secret Service agent was arrested for murder. What are the likely consequences for the department?

Yep, most certainly a higher level of training and responsibility. (Although of all the armed units within UK police forces, the job of 24-hour guarding of foreign embassies or parliamentary estates is probably the least glamorous or highly-desired..... by a long way).

It's worth of course adding that officers such as this man would draw a service weapon from an on-site armoury every time he did a shift - it's not like TV fiction where they keep a Glock 17 in their car's glove compartment or something.

I'd say that the very fact that the Met Commissioner (the most senior police officer in England & Wales, as well as the head of the Met) has already come out so forcefully - given that this man's name and occupation are already (improperly) in the public domain - shows how concerned they are about this denting public confidence in the police. After all, and as you point out, this man was not just a beat cop, or even a detective. You can bet that the midnight oil will be being burned at New Scotland Yard (HQ of the Met) over the coming days and again during/after any trial, to try to figure out how best to reassure the public.

 

[Bob001]

.....
It's worth of course adding that officers such as this man would draw a service weapon from an on-site armoury every time he did a shift - it's not like TV fiction where they keep a Glock 17 in their car's glove compartment or something.
.....

I note that in the U.S. many departments encourage their officers to carry their guns and badges at all times, so they can act in an emergency. And of course, in most states civilians can pack heat, sometimes without any permit.

 

[Nessie]

After numerous instances of the police standing by and not doing anything regarding demonstrations and large scale gatherings such as BLM and football league victories, a vigil for Sarah is prevented, despite no evidence it could not be easily policed and was going to be anything other than respectful and socially distanced;

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56379248

"Police are warning people thinking of attending a vigil planned for Sarah Everard in south London to "stay at home" after organisers effectively lost a High Court challenge.
The Met Police said people should find a "lawful and safer way " to express views on women's safety in public.
Earlier, a High Court judge refused to say the event would be permitted under coronavirus regulations on Friday."

 

[Vixen]

BREAKING: Couzens has now been formally charged with the murder and kidnap of Sarah Everard.

A serving Diplomatic Protection Officer with the Metropolitan Police has tonight been charged with the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard.

Wayne Couzens, 48, was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the disappearance of Miss Everard, 33, and has been held in custody in London for four days.

He will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

Rosemary Ainslie, Head of Special Crime at the CPS, said: 'Following a referral of evidence by the Metropolitan Police related to the death of Sarah Everard, the CPS has authorised the police to charge Wayne Couzens with murder and kidnapping.'

DM

He'll be appearing in court tomorrow, although possibly by Zoom to avoid a pess scrummage and because of Covid19 regulations.

 

[LondonJohn]

Well at least the media coverage will now come to a complete stop until his various court appearances happen (and media coverage will be strictly confined to what happens in those court proceedings themselves).

And at least the title of this thread is now accurate....


(PS: rather a lot of usage of the Daily Mail as the source of record round these parts, isn't there?)