The detective who led the investigation into Sarah Everard's murder has been decorated with the King's Police Medal. Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin received the honour at Windsor Castle on Wednesday and told PA news agency the case remains a defining moment for the Metropolitan Police. «It was a monumental moment for so many officers and staff in the Met who just felt absolutely let down by the behaviour of him (Wayne Couzens),» she said.
Goodwin reflected on the lasting impact of the case, which occurred in March 2021. «To a certain extent, it feels like it was a while ago, but of course it wasn't,» she said. The 33-year-old marketing executive was kidnapped, raped and murdered by Couzens, a then-serving Met officer who received a whole-life sentence in September 2021.
Calls for continued reform
The detective emphasised the ongoing need for change within the force. «It really felt like a big driver for change,» Goodwin said, adding: «Of course, as we all know, there's still more to do.» She stressed: «We've just got to do what we can do honour Sarah's memory.»
The case prompted widespread concerns about police vetting and culture. A 2023 review by Louise Casey concluded the Met was «institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic». The Angiolini Inquiry found Couzens should never have been hired and warned there was «nothing to stop another Couzens operating in plain sight» without significant change.
Sarah Everard's parents, Jeremy and Susan Everard, formed the group Justice for Victims in March this year. They are campaigning for tougher sentencing for serious violent and sexual criminals.
Goodwin described receiving the medal as «humbling». «It's really tricky because it's a job that I love, and I've always tried to do my best for the public in, so it's really nice to be recognised for that,» she told PA. «But by lots of things it's a team work, and there's lots of other people whom I'd like to have with me to say thank you, who I've worked with over the years.»
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
