The report concluded that his unexplained disappearance should have been taken as a warning sign when he was vetted to join the Metropolitan Police.
In addition, there were check failures when Couzens applied to both the CNC and the Met.
He managed to mask his desperate financial state and the fact that he was in so much debt that he had entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement to avoid bankruptcy, which would have prevented him from joining the police force.
Presenting her findings, Lady Elish said: “The evidence seen by the inquiry has shown that failures in recruitment and vetting allowed Couzens to pursue a police career that should have been denied to him.
“Failed investigations into allegations of indecent exposure meant opportunities were missed to disrupt Couzens' offending and bring his police career to a halt.” She continued: “The fact remains that three separate police forces gave him the privilege of being a police officer when they could and should have stopped him.”
Lady Elish has made 16 recommendations to bring about the necessary changes to the police force, saying “without a major overhaul there is nothing to stop a new Wayne Couzens operating in plain sight”.
Responding to the inquest report, Ms Everard's parents, Sue and Jeremy, and siblings, Katie and James Everard, said in a statement: “It is clear that Wayne Couzens should never have been a police officer. Although in reality he was in a position of trust, he was a serial sex offender. Throughout his career, warning signs were overlooked and opportunities to confront him were missed. We believe Sarah died because he was a police officer; she would never have gotten into a stranger's car.”
The family also called for all recommendations to be made immediately, adding: “We cannot get Sarah back, but positive changes give hope for the future and will benefit others.”
Ms Everard was 33 when she disappeared in Clapham, south-west London, on her way home from a friend's house.
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