Police officers may face the sack over stop and search
FIVE police officers could face the sack over the stop and search of two athletes who were driving through London with their baby.
Watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said yesterday that an acting police sergeant and four police constables will all face a gross misconduct disciplinary hearing over the incident involving British sprinter Bianca Williams and her partner Ricardo Dos Santos.
Footage of the search on July 4 2020, during which the couple were handcuffed, was shared on social media, and later Ms Williams accused the police of having racially profiled the pair.
After the search, details of the couple’s threemonth-old baby were also stored on a police database called Merlin, used to record information on children who become known to the authorities.
The IOPC said that a police unit had followed the couple as they drove through Maida Vale, west London, before stopping them and searching the couple for weapons, and Mr Dos Santos for drugs. Nothing was found.
Regional director Sal Naseem said: “All five officers – an acting police sergeant and four police constables – will face allegations they breached police standards of professional behaviour for duties and responsibilities and for equality and diversity. Four of them also face allegations that they breached the standards for use of force and for authority, respect and courtesy.
“Three of the five – all police constables – will face allegations that they breached the standards for honesty and integrity and one will face an allegation they breached the police standards of professional behaviour for orders and instructions.
“These matters were assessed as gross misconduct so it will be for the disciplinary panel, led by an independent legally qualified chair to determine whether or not the allegations are proven.”