Two Metropolitan Police officers have been found guilty of gross misconduct over the controversial stop and search of Olympic sprinter Ricardo dos Santos and Team GB athlete Bianca Williams.
PC Jonathan Clapham and PC Sam Franks were found to have lied about smelling cannabis during the incident, which the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) described as racially motivated and “excessive, unreasonable, and unjustified.”
The incident occurred on July 4, 2020, when dos Santos, aged 28, and Williams, aged 29, were returning home with their three-month-old baby after a training session. The couple filed a complaint with the police watchdog, alleging the stop was an example of racial profiling. Dos Santos accused officers of “driving while black” and expressed concerns for his family’s safety.
The IOPC’s investigation revealed troubling evidence of racial bias within the Metropolitan Police, highlighting that black individuals are disproportionately targeted in stop and search practices. While Acting Sergeant Rachel Simpson, PC Allan Casey, and PC Michael Bond were cleared of wrongdoing, officers Clapham and Franks were found guilty of fabricating the reason for the stop.
The officers denied any breach of equality and diversity standards. A disciplinary panel is scheduled to decide their punishment this Friday.
This case brings attention to ongoing issues of racial profiling and misconduct within the Metropolitan Police.
Originally published by UKNIP.
