By Tony O’Reilly-
Two Metropolitan Police officers have been dismissed from their positions following the stop-and-search of two athletes that was deemed gross misconduct.
The athletes, British world championships medallist Bianca Williams and Portugal Olympic sprinter Ricardo Dos Santos, accused the officers of racial profiling during the incident.
The controversial stop-and-search took place in July 2020 outside Williams and Dos Santos’ west London home. The athletes were handcuffed and searched while their baby was in the car.
The two officers, PC Jonathan Clapham and PC Sam Franks, who have been dismissed, were found to have lied about smelling cannabis in Dos Santos’ car, violating professional standards of police behavior in relation to honesty and integrity.
Both officers had initially searched the athletes on suspicion of carrying drugs and weapons, but nothing incriminating was found. Williams documented parts of the incident, and former Olympic champion Linford Christie, who is their coach, posted the footage online, leading to widespread sharing on social media.
Speaking after the disciplinary hearing, Bianca Williams described the result as a “massive step” but noted that it “shouldn’t have taken three years to get to this result.”
She expressed her satisfaction with the outcome but pointed out that no action would be taken against the other officers involved in the incident.
Outside the hearing, Ricardo Dos Santos emphasized that “little has changed in policing in London” since the Stephen Lawrence case. He called the allegations made by the officers regarding bad driving, violence, and the presence of drugs “dishonest” and based on racist stereotypes.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, acknowledged that the panel’s findings would “anger and alarm many Londoners” and underscored the need for significant cultural changes within the Met.
Khan stressed the importance of new leadership to alter the police force’s culture and procedures.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police apologized to the family and admitted that they “deserved better” in their handling of the situation.
The disciplinary panel determined that the smell of cannabis mentioned by the officers during the stop-and-search likely came from another source.
The officers’ behavior during the incident, including their failure to verify the smell, led the panel to conclude that their actions constituted gross misconduct. As a result, they were removed from their roles.
While no action has been taken against three other officers involved in the incident, the disciplinary panel has ordered them to undertake a “reflective practice review process.”
Williams and Dos Santos complained to the police watchdog about their treatment, alleging racial profiling. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) brought a case against the officers, asserting that there was “institutional discrimination” within the Met Police.
The hearing shed light on the broader issue of stop-and-search powers and the racial disparities that exist in their application. Steve Noonan of the IOPC acknowledged that the incident had fueled concerns regarding the use of stop-and-search powers by the police.
Data has revealed that black people are almost nine times more likely to be stopped and searched by the police than white individuals and are searched for drugs at a higher rate, despite lower drug “find rates” for black people.
Noonan emphasized that incidents like these have contributed to low trust and confidence in the police among black communities, and he underscored the need for the police to restore trust and work towards delivering fair and effective stop-and-search procedures.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward expressed confidence that the Met can learn from this experience and collaborate with communities to ensure fair and effective stop-and-search practices.
Bianca Williams, who has won medals at major athletics events, including a bronze in the 4x100m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest earlier this year, has become a symbol for those advocating against racial profiling in policing. Her case serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for reform within law enforcement agencies and the pursuit of justice for all individuals, regardless of their race or background.
The incident involving Williams and Dos Santos has highlighted the urgent need for law enforcement to examine and rectify systemic issues while fostering a climate of trust between the police and the communities they serve.