A police officer guarding the Sarah Everard murder scene allegedly sent inappropriate WhatsApp messages to colleagues about her killing.
A probationary Met police constable, who had been deployed as a cordon officer supporting the search operation in Kent, is said to have shared an ‘inappropriate graphic’ on social media with some colleagues.
Horrified fellow officers reported the PC’s actions because they were concerned by its content. The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was made aware on Friday.
It is the latest incident in a series of shocking revelations of the Met Police’s handling of the disappearance and murder of Ms Everard and events surrounding Wayne Couzens who is charged with murdering her.
Couzens, a serving Metropolitan Police officer was charged with Ms Everard’s murder and kidnap after she disappeared as she walked home to Brixton from a friend’s house in Clapham, south London, on March 3.
The incident has now been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and the officer has been removed from frontline duties.
He is believed to have been placed in a non-public facing role while enquiries continue.
In a statement, the Met Police confirmed the graphic did not contain photographic images, images of Sarah, or any other material obtained from or related to the investigation into Sarah’s murder.
Wayne Couzens (left) is presented with an award for his achievements during his time in the territorial army between 2002-2004. Couzens was charged with the murder and kidnap of Sarah Everard (right), who disappeared on March 3
Metropolitan Police officers have been in Sandwich, Kent, in recent days as the Sarah Everard investigation continues
A probationary Met police officer, who was deployed as a cordon officer supporting the search operation in Kent, allegedly sent an ‘inappropriate graphic’ on social media with some colleagues who later reported the PC. Pictured: Police presence in Great Chart, Kent, last week
The probationary PC has been removed from duties and placed in a non-public facing role while enquiries continue. Pictured: A Metropolitan Police van and a private ambulance at the scene of the woods near Ashford in Kent
Sarah’s family have been made aware of the incident.
Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave, said: ‘The Metropolitan Police Service expects its officers to behave professionally at all times and this includes how they use social media.
‘I take allegations that any officer or officers have failed to observe these standards very seriously and have referred this matter to the IOPC.’
It is the sixth referral of the Met to the IOPC regarding events surrounding the disappearance and murder of Ms Everard.
In August last year two eight Metropolitan Police officers were probed for misconduct after two constables were suspended for allegedly taking a selfie with the bodies of two sisters who had been murdered.
Nicole Smallman, 26, and her half-sister Bibaa Henry, 47, were found dead in Fryent Country Park in Wembley, north west London, in June – two days after they were reported missing.
Scotland Yard revealed two serving Metropolitan Police Constables were arrested on June 22 on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.
Wayne Couzens, a serving Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with Ms Everard’s murder and kidnap after she disappeared as she walked home to Brixton from a friend’s house in Clapham, south London, on March 3.
Met Police confirmed the graphic did not contain photographic images, images of Sarah, or any other material obtained from or related to the investigation into Sarah’s murder
Artist’s drawing of Wayne Couzens appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday for his first appearance in court
Police divers search near Rope Walk in Sandwich, Kent, after a body found hidden in woodland at Ashford was identified as that of 33-year-old Sarah Everard
Bibaa Henry, 46, (left) and Nicole Smallman, 27, (right) were stabbed to death in a frenzied attack in Fryent Gardens, Wembley
The 48-year-old, from Deal, appeared in court to confirm his name and address during a short hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard Miss Everard’s body was found inside a builder’s bag in Kent and identified through the use of dental records.
Appearing in court wearing a grey tracksuit and bearing a red mark on his head, Couzens stood as the charges were put to him before being remanded in custody before his case is sent to the Old Bailey on March 16.
The Met Police revealed that Couzens joined the force two years ago in September 2018 when he worked for a response team covering the Bromley area.
He then moved to the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command in February last year.
Following the discovery of Miss Everard’s body a vigil was set up in Clapham Common, south London, to remember the 33-year-old marketing executive.
People have gathered for a third night in Parliament Square to Protest violence against women following chaotic scenes on Clapham Common during a picture for Ms Everard
Justifying the police’s response to the vigil, Dame Cressida Dick said: ‘We’re still in a pandemic, unlawful gatherings are unlawful gatherings’. Thousands protested across London yesterday
Demonstrators say the right to protest ‘protects women,’ ahead of a controversial bill that will be debated by MPs tonight
People visited the bandstand on Clapham Common, London, on Saturday to look at the floral tributes and candles
Crowds of mourners started chanting ‘arrest your own’ and ‘shame on you’ as scenes quickly turned violent in Clapham on Saturday. Pictured: A woman being arrested
One attendee claimed that, when confronted about elbowing a girl, the officer ‘smirked’ and said ‘that’s a shame innit’. Pictured: Police at the scene
Groups of people attended throughout the day on Saturday, including the Duchess of Cambridge.
Later that night a crowd of around 1,500 people gathered but scuffles broke out as police surrounded a bandstand covered in flowers left in tribute.
Officers have been blasted for using heavy-handed tactics which critics dubbed ‘quasi military’.
Horrifying footage taken on the night shows a row of mask-wearing police officers yelling ‘move back’ as they shove protesters away.
Other clips showed demonstrators being hauled off by officers as chilling screams ring out through the crowd.
Protest movement Reclaim These Streets had organised the vigil before being forced to cancel following consultation with the Metropolitan Police, which said it would be in breach in coronavirus restrictions.
The latest IOPC referral comes as earlier this week it was revealed the Met had been referred to the police watchddog five times over Sarah Everard’s disappearance.