Bianca Williams: Five Met Police officers face sack over ‘racist’ stop of search of two Team GB athletes
FIVE police officers could face the sack over an alleged racist stop-and-search of Team GB sprinter Bianca Williams.
The Independent Office of Police Conduct said that an acting sergeant and four PCs will appear before a gross misconduct board.
Williams, 28, and her partner her Portuguese sprinter partner Ricardo dos Santos, 27, were pulled over on their way home.
The couple had been making their way home from race training when cops conducted a stop-and-search in July 2020.
They were handcuffed in front of their three-month-old baby during a search for weapons and drugs in West London. None was found.
The Met referred itself to the IOPC after footage was put online by their coach, Olympic sprint ace Linford Christie.
Williams and partner Ricardo dos Santos, 27, believe they were racially profiled and said they had been treated like "scum".
She said: "I hope this opens the door for the Met to start being more honest about the culture of racism."
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Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bas Javid apologised to the couple.
He said: "I acknowledge the IOPC’s direction in this case.
"We have co-operated fully with the IOPC’s investigation and, in accordance with their direction, are now arranging for an independently-led misconduct hearing to take place."
Now five Met officers could face the sack if gross misconduct is proven.
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Regional director Sal Naseem of the IOPC said: "All five officers 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."
A sixth officer will also attend a misconduct meeting in regards to the incident.
It is in regards to alleged breaches of the standards for authority, respect and courtesy, duties and responsibilities and for use of force, assessed as misconduct.
In a statement issued through the couple’s lawyers, Bianca Williams said: "I welcome this decision and hope this opens the door for the Met to start being more honest and reflective about the culture of racism which is undoubtedly still a reality within the organisation.
"A clear focus on the racism problem within the Met by the IOPC is long overdue.’
Ricardo Dos Santos said: "This has been a long journey, and one which has not been easy.
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"We have been engaged in this process for nearly two years, and who knows how much longer we will now have to wait for the conclusion of the misconduct proceedings?
"This sheds a light on how difficult it is to ensure the police are held responsible for their failings."
