Sarah Everard’s killer Wayne Couzens joined the Civil Nuclear Constabulary after Thames Valley Police carried out vetting checks on him in 2011.
The 48-year-old police constable, who was given a life sentence this month for Ms Everard’s abduction, rape and murder, joined the nuclear police that year – having previously served as a special constable with Kent Police.
Thames Valley Police was responsible then as now for carrying out recruitment vetting checks for the CNC, the organisation responsible for policing the UK’s nuclear power stations.
A Thames Valley spokesman said: “As requested by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, Thames Valley Police carried out vetting checks on Wayne Couzens in 2011 in line with the national guidance at the time.
“We cannot release details of the vetting checks carried out on Couzens in 2011, as vetting is a confidential process.”
He said that Thames Valley does not make the decision about whether a candidate should be employed by the CNC and only provides a report and recommendation to the force.
In common with other police forces, Thames Valley was currently reviewing its vetting process in line following a request from the National Police Chiefs Council, he added.
Couzens faked the arrest of Ms Everard, 33, using his police-issue handcuffs and his Metropolitan Police warrant card to lure her into his hired van.
It emerged he had a troubling history. The Old Bailey was told that he had been involved in an ‘incident of a sexual nature’ in 2002.
He was allegedly dubbed ‘the rapist’ by colleagues at the CNC and was accused of indecent exposure in Kent in 2015 and again in the capital days before he murdered Ms Everard.
A statement from Thames Valley Police said: “Thames Valley Police carry out vetting checks on behalf of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.
"Once those checks are made, Thames Valley Police provides a report and recommendations to the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. However, the decision as to whether to employ a candidate is made by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and not Thames Valley Police.
“As requested by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, Thames Valley Police carried out vetting checks on Wayne Couzens in 2011 in line with the national guidance at the time.
“We cannot release details of the vetting checks carried out on Couzens in 2011, as vetting is a confidential process.”
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