DOZENS of cops have been investigated on suspicion of rape since the murder of Sarah Everard five years ago, figures from forces reveal.

The Met Police has booted out more than 1,500 rogue officers suspected of sexual or domestic abuse in a purge launched in the wake of Sarah’s death.

Sarah Everard smiling and holding a glass of rosé wine.
Dozens of cops have been investigated on suspicion of rape since the murder of Sarah Everard five years agoCredit: PA
 

Headshot of Wayne Couzens.
Sarah was kidnapped, raped and murdered by cop Wayne CouzensCredit: PA
Sarah, 33, was kidnapped, raped and murdered by Met gun cop Wayne Couzens on March 3, 2021.

It then led to predators in the ranks — such as serial rapist David Carrick — being unmasked.

A Freedom of Information Act request to 43 forces in England and Wales saw 17 respond.

All of those had launched criminal probes against officers since Sarah’s murder.

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All but one had instigated rape investigations against cops.

Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap, of the Violence Against Women and Girls taskforce, said: “It’s an incredibly awful truth we have abusers and perpetrators inside our organisation.”

She admitted some victims were deterred from coming forward as they “cannot trust the response they get”.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “We’ve removed 1,500 officers from the Met in three years, that’s completely unprecedented. We’ve got through a large part of the problem but not all. That work continues.”

Couzens, 53, had a history of flashing when he abducted Sarah as she walked home in Clapham, South West London.

An independent review later concluded that police missed glaring opportunities to catch him earlier.

Sir Mark added: “Sarah should still be alive today and if policing was better then she might be alive today.”

He added that police would always be “profoundly sorry” for her murder “at the hands of a police officer”.

Mugshot of David Carrick looking at the camera.
Sarah’s murder led to predators in the ranks — such as serial rapist David Carrick — being unmaskedCredit: PA
 

Mugshot of David Carrick, an ex-police officer and convicted rapist, looking directly at the camera.
Couzens had a history of flashing when he abducted Sarah in Clapham, South West LondonCredit: PA