The murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Metropolitan Police officer in March 2021 was a catastrophic breach of public trust. It exposed a chilling reality: the very institution tasked with protecting citizens could harbour individuals capable of the most heinous crimes. The subsequent Casey Review, published in 2023, laid bare a culture of impunity within the force, where misconduct was too often ignored or excused.
A Damning Verdict on Police Culture
The review, led by Baroness Louise Casey, provided a systemic analysis of the Met's failings. It found a pervasive culture where racism, misogyny, and homophobia were tolerated. The report detailed how a 'culture of impunity' allowed bad behaviour to flourish, with weak management and inadequate disciplinary processes failing to hold officers to account. This environment enabled Wayne Couzens, Sarah's killer, to remain in his position despite serious allegations about his character.
Couzens used his warrant card and police-issue handcuffs to falsely arrest Sarah Everard before kidnapping, raping, and murdering her. This was not an isolated incident of a 'bad apple', but a profound systemic failure. The Casey Review made it unequivocally clear that the Met's problems were institutional, requiring root-and-branch reform.
The Systemic Failures That Enabled a Killer
Investigations revealed that warning signs about Couzens were missed or dismissed. Known to colleagues as 'the rapist', he was linked to incidents of indecent exposure prior to the murder. These reports were not taken with the seriousness they warranted. This failure to join the dots and act decisively against an officer displaying predatory behaviour is a central part of the tragedy.
The culture of impunity identified by Casey meant that such behaviours were not seen as disqualifying for the office of constable. The review highlighted how the force was insular, defensive, and resistant to criticism, prioritising its own reputation over public safety and accountability. This created a space where someone like Couzens could operate.
The Imperative for Radical Reform
The lesson from Sarah Everard's death is that a culture of impunity must be stamped out without compromise. This requires more than superficial changes. It demands a fundamental overhaul of recruitment, vetting, training, and disciplinary procedures. The Met, and policing nationally, must become truly transparent and accountable.
Public confidence, particularly among women and minority communities, has been shattered. Rebuilding it requires demonstrable action: robust misconduct investigations, a zero-tolerance approach to sexism and racism, and empowering independent oversight bodies like the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The Police and Crime Commissioner model must also be strengthened to ensure effective local scrutiny.
Ultimately, the legacy of Sarah Everard must be a policing system that is fit for purpose—one where the badge represents protection, not predation. The culture that allowed an officer to become a murderer in uniform cannot be reformed; it must be dismantled and rebuilt on principles of integrity, accountability, and public service. The time for excuses is over.
