Current:Home > Scams2 London police officers have been dismissed over a stop and search of a Black athlete couple -FinanceMind
2 London police officers have been dismissed over a stop and search of a Black athlete couple
View
Date:2025-04-14 08:32:51
LONDON (AP) — Two of London’s Metropolitan Police officers were dismissed from the force on Wednesday after a disciplinary panel concluded that they committed gross misconduct over the stop and search of two Black athletes.
Bianca Williams and Ricardo Dos Santos, both professional sprinters, complained to the police watchdog that they were racially profiled by a group of police officers on July 4, 2020.
The couple were driving home in London with their 3-month-old infant son in the back seat when police followed their car and pulled them over outside their home. The athletes were handcuffed and searched on suspicion of having drugs and weapons, but nothing was found.
The disciplinary panel heard the officers said they followed the athletes’ vehicle because of Dos Santos’ “appalling” and “suspicious” driving, and that they were doing their duty when they conducted the stop and search.
But the panel concluded that two of the officers, Jonathan Clapham and Sam Franks, lied about smelling cannibis during the incident.
The panel’s chairwoman, Chiew Yin Jones, said their conduct had breached standards of professional behavior in respect of honesty and integrity, and the two were dismissed without notice.
Three other officers were cleared of breaching standards.
Williams, a sprint relay gold medalist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2018 European Championships, filmed the incident and the video was shared widely online. She has said that she hoped the hearing would lead to the Metropolitan Police being “more honest” about its “culture of racism.”
Dos Santos said after Wednesday’s hearing that he believed he was accused of “bad driving, threatening violence and drugs” based on “racial stereotypes.”
“We’ve supported the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) case over the past three years and it’s highlighted what most Black people are far too aware of regardless of their background, education and employment” he told reporters. “They are nine times more likely to be stopped by the Met and three times more likely to be handcuffed.”
The Metropolitan Police, the U.K.'s biggest police force, has been dogged by allegations of institutional racism and sexism in recent years. In March, an independent review said the force had lost the public’s confidence because of ingrained racism, misogyny and homophobia and must overhaul itself.
veryGood! (6999)
Related
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Exclusive: Social Security chief vows to fix cruel-hearted overpayment clawbacks
- Who is Mamiko Tanaka? Everything you need to know about Shohei Ohtani's wife
- Save Up to 60% Off on Barefoot Dreams Loungewear & Experience Cozy Like Never Before
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Stock market today: Asian markets retreat after data dash hopes that a US rate cut is imminent
- US consumer sentiment ticks down slightly, but most expect inflation to ease further
- John Oliver Has a Surprising Response to Kate Middleton Conspiracy Theories
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Across the US, batteries and green energies like wind and solar combine for major climate solution
Ranking
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- US consumer sentiment ticks down slightly, but most expect inflation to ease further
- Men's pro teams have been getting subsidies for years. Time for women to get them, too.
- 'Grey's Anatomy' premiere recap: Teddy's fate revealed, and what's next for Meredith
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Minnie Driver gives advice to her 'heartbroken' younger self about Matt Damon split
- 'The American Society of Magical Negroes' is funny, but who is this satire for?
- National Association of Realtors to pay $418 million to settle real estate agent commission lawsuits
Recommendation
In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
Russell Wilson Is the MVP After Helping Ciara With Her Breastmilk
The Hugl Body Pillow Is Like Sleeping on Clouds – and It's on Sale
Climate protestors disrupt 'An Enemy of the People' while Michael Imperioli stayed in character
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
Migrants lacking passports must now submit to facial recognition to board flights in US
Ex-Tennessee Titans scout Blaise Taylor charged after deaths of girlfriend, unborn child
Dog-killing flatworm parasite discovered in new state as scientists warn of spread West