Sarah Everard. Pic: PA Media
A Croydon police officer has avoided dismissal after accessing confidential files linked to the murder of Sarah Everard.
Sergeant Mark Harper, who works in a Croydon custody unit, received a verdict of a final written warning after checking the progress of charging decisions against the former Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, who was convicted of the murder and sentenced to a whole-life term.
During the trial, the officer admitted having accessed Couzens’ files out of professional “curiosity,” not for information on Everard’s case.
The panel concluded that his actions were of “lower-to-mid scale of seriousness,” as evidence showed he only viewed information with limited details and did not attempt to access more sensitive material related to the case. Although his actions breached standards of “confidentiality, orders, and instructions,” and “undermined public confidence in the police,” they had no impact on the investigation. Because of that, Harper was given only a final written warning, which will remain in effect for three years.
He will continue working as a custody sergeant, but with certain restrictions.
Misconduct allegations were also brought against three additional serving officers – Pc Myles McHugh, Pc Clare Tett, and Detective Constable Tyrone Ward, as well as three who have resigned since the investigation, Detective Sergeant Robert Butters, trainee Detective Constable Hannah Rebbeck and Inspector Akinwale Ajose-Adeogun.
During the trial, it was revealed that Pc McHugh accessed the information while off duty and for an extended period, while DC Rebbeck repeatedly accessed sensitive data without any professional justification, an offense that would have led to her immediate dismissal had she not already resigned.
In a statement, the Met Police wrote that both officers have committed “serious breaches of professional standards.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: “Our officers and staff are regularly reminded that police systems and specific files must only be accessed where there is a legitimate policing purpose to do so. This includes reminder screens and warning pages when logging on to our software systems, as well as mandatory training on information management which must be completed by everyone within the organisation.”
