Responding to failings over reference checks, the Met told the Sunday Times: “Londoners rightly expect the highest standards from our officers and staff, and we’ve overhauled our vetting and professional standards processes as part of our ‘New Met for London’ plan.
At the time Dame Elish said she was “astonished” to learn that Couzens would have passed vetting for the Metropolitan Police even if the force had known about a previous accusation of indecent exposure.
Last year it was revealed that a series of failures in recruitment and vetting processes meant Couzens was able to remain a police officer despite spiralling personal debt and an accusation of a sex offence.
The Met began reviewing allegations against officers and staff in the wake of public outrage over Couzens and Carrick.
“We have recruited extra vetting officers, introduced a new force policy and decision-making framework, and invested in new technology to make sure only those with the highest standards serve in the Met.”.
