Sarah Everard: Metropolitan Police officer removed from duties over 'inappropriate graphic'

Sarah Everard.
Sarah Everard. Photo credit: Metropolitan Police

A London Metropolitan Police officer guarding cordons as part of the Sarah Everard murder investigation has been removed from their duties after they allegedly shared an "inappropriate graphic" via social media.

Police say they were made aware of the graphic on Friday after it was reported by several officers who were concerned about its content.

They add that the graphic doesn't contain photos, there are no images of Everard, and there isn't any other material obtained from or related to the investigation of her murder.

"Given the context of the officer's duties at the time, a voluntary referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct [IOPC] in relation to this matter," police say.

"The PC had been deployed as a cordon officer supporting the search operation in Kent in relation to the murder of Sarah Everard. The officer has been removed from these duties and placed in a non-public facing role while enquiries continue."

Police say Everard's family has been made aware of the incident.

"The MPS expects its officers to behave professionally at all times and this includes how they use social media," says Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrace.

"I take allegations that any officer or officers have failed to observe these standards very seriously and have referred this matter to the IOPC."

Everard, 33, went missing on March 3 while walking home from a friend's house in south London and her remains were found on Wednesday in woodland in Kent about 80 kilometres away.

Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, has been charged with her kidnap and murder.

He joined the Metropolitan Police in 2018 and guarded foreign embassies before his arrest.