New Wayne Couzens documentary is about ‘culture of misogyny’ in the police force

A new documentary examines the ‘culture of misogyny’ within the police force, while taking a forensic in-depth look at the vicious case of Wayne Couzens, who kidnapped, raped and murdered 33-year-old Sarah Everard in 2021.

The former Met officer on duty – who was recently revealed to have flashed a pedestrian in 2015 – is the focus of the year-long investigation on Channel 5’s programme, broadcast June 15 at 9pm on Channel 5 and then My5.

Created by an all-female production team, Wayne Couzens: Killer in Plain Sight, by Flicker Productions, “represents the unheard voices of survivors of police sexual assault.”

With more than 1,000 police officers reportedly now under investigation for alleged sex offenses or domestic violence cases at the Met – according to data from January this year – the film “uncovers new evidence and asks whether women’s trust in the police can be restored’.

It will draw on interviews with “experts, former police officers, never-before-heard accounts of police brutality survivors, and those who knew Wayne Couzens, to explore what and who enabled him to commit such a heinous crime.”

Colleen Flynn, Chief Creative Officer, Flicker Productions added: ‘We wanted to explore the breach of trust between women and the police as a result of the Wayne Couzens case, the effects of which are still being felt today.

“By giving women a voice on screen and off, we aim to bring about real systemic change, shining a light on a toxic culture that enabled serious misconduct.”

It comes on the heels of recent reports that Couzens could have been arrested for indecent exposure years before he killed Sarah Everard – but a sergeant who knew his brother said it was not a crime.

Last month it emerged that Kent Police had failed to arrest the Scotland Yard officer when he was reported in 2015 for flashing a pedestrian after the investigating officer was given access to a file showing Couzens was a former special constable with the police.

In an extraordinary scandal, Couzens’ name was broadcast on a radio channel as a suspected sex offender to all Kent police officers, but no further action was taken.

It was revealed that the sergeant who dismissed the case was stationed in Ashford when Couzens worked there as a special constable and also knew Couzens’ brother David, a serving police officer from Kent.

The blundering officer, who has been granted anonymity, has twice been given access to a file detailing Couzens’ work for Kent Police between 2006 and 2009 before recording ‘no crime’ had been committed.

The extraordinary oversight only came to light when an investigation was launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after Couzens killed Sarah Everard two years ago.

The former Met officer on duty (pictured) – who was recently revealed to have turned back a pedestrian in 2015 – is the focus of the year-long investigation in Channel 5’s program

It will draw on interviews with “experts, former police officers, never-before-heard stories from police brutality survivors.” Pictured: Lucy Osbourne, investigative reporter

Wayne Couzens: Killer in Plain Sight, by Flicker Productions, was created by an all-female production team. Pictured: Lucy Osbourne, investigative reporter

In September 2021, the Old Bailey heard how killer Couzens used the Covid laws to stop, handcuff and organize the fake arrest of Sarah Everard before strangling her ‘with his police belt’ – as it turned out he spent hours wandering the streets of had been prowling the center of London looking for a lone woman to attack.

Couzens slapped the 33-year-old marketing manager’s hands behind her back, rendering her unable to undo the seatbelt he had tied around her after ordering her to sit in the back of his rental car.

It coincided with a series of increasingly sickening behaviors that saw the married father of two flash two women at McDonald’s in two separate incidents.

Meanwhile, reports emerged in April this year that a hotline for complaints about rogue police officers could be rolled out to every force in Britain.

Scotland Yard launched the first such hotline last November and more than 1,000 people used it to report misconduct.

Some of these reports have led to intelligence-led drug testing and covert investigations into officers of Britain’s largest armed forces.

It comes in response to recent reports that Couzens could have been arrested for indecent exposure years before he killed Sarah Everard. Pictured is a sketch by a Couzens court artist who appeared via video link at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last year

Couzens slapped the 33-year-old marketing manager’s hands behind her back, rendering her unable to undo the seatbelt he had tied around her after ordering her to sit in the back of his rental car. Pictured are members of the public at Sarah Everard’s wake in 2021

In September 2021, the Old Bailey heard how killer Couzens used the Covid laws to stop, captivate and stage Sarah Everard’s fake arrest (pictured)

Officers have also been suspended and even arrested over information from the Met’s cooperation with Crimestoppers for the special hotline.

And the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) had confirmed it was possible that the same system could be rolled out across all police forces in the country to weed out officers who abuse their position.

A spokesman said: ‘The NPCC is exploring the rollout of a nationwide police integrity line as a priority. An update on the progress of this will follow in due course.’

The Met had launched its own hotline for members of the public to report rogue cops in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens, and a month before PC David Carrick admitted to raping and sexually assaulting 12 women.