Police: Couple’s car check: Police officers acquitted of lying

police
Couple’s car check: Police officers acquitted of lying

The athletes Bianca Williams (r.) and Ricardo dos Santos accused the police of controlling them for racist reasons

The athletes Bianca Williams (r.) and Ricardo dos Santos accused the police of controlling them for racist reasons. (archive image) photo

© Jonathan Brady/PA Wire/dpa

Two officers check a black athlete couple in London who accuse the police of racism. Officers say they smelled cannabis. A lie?

Two London officials fired Police have been cleared of lying charges in connection with the control of black athletes and are allowed to return to work. The Metropolitan Police Appeal Panel overturned a disciplinary committee ruling.

The Portuguese 400 meter runner Ricardo dos Santos was disappointed. He announced that he and his partner, British sprinter Bianca Williams, would challenge the decision in a civil court.

Stopped on the way back from training

Williams and dos Santos were stopped in the summer of 2020 while driving home from training with their three-month-old baby. Officers handcuffed the couple and unsuccessfully searched the car for weapons and drugs. The athletes accused the police of being controlled for racist reasons.

At that time, the disciplinary committee acquitted the officials of several allegations. But the panel concluded that two of the police officers involved had lied when they said they smelled cannabis. The two men were then released.

The November 2023 decision was irrational and contradictory and ruined the reputation of the respected police officers, said the chairman of the Police Appeals Tribunal, Damien Moore. “The two officers did not lie. Both officers will now be reinstated to the Metropolitan Police. They should receive their pay retroactively.”

dpa

source site-1

Related Articles