2 UK police officers found guilty of misconduct over stop, search of Black athletes

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Two Metropolitan Police officers have been found guilty of misconduct over a controversial stop and search incident involving two Black athletes.

“The panel found that two officers, PC Jonathan Clapham and PC Sam Franks, had lied about smelling cannabis … and as such had breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to honesty and integrity,” a police statement said.

Olympic sprinter Ricardo dos Santos and his partner and Team GB athlete Bianca Williams had filed a complaint with the police watchdog, alleging that they were racially profiled during a "disturbing" stop and search.

The incident occurred in July 2020 when the police followed the couple as they drove home from training with their baby son, who was then three months old.

Upon reaching their property, Dos Santos and Williams were subjected to handcuffing and a search on suspicion of carrying drugs and weapons. However, no illegal items were found during the search.

The incident prompted a wave of public outcry, with many individuals and organizations condemning the alleged racial bias in law enforcement.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) initiated the case against the five officers, alleging that the apprehension of Mr. Dos Santos and Ms. Williams was motivated by their race and deemed to be "disproportionate, unwarranted, and unjustifiable."