Two former Metropolitan Police officers in London have successfully appealed a ruling that they lied about smelling cannabis during a stop and search of two Black athletes. The Police Appeals Tribunal overturned the decision made by a disciplinary panel a year ago, stating that the officers, Jonathan Clapham and Sam Franks, were wrongly accused of dishonesty.
The incident in question involved British sprinter Bianca Williams and her partner Ricardo Dos Santos, who alleged they were racially profiled by a group of police officers on July 4, 2020. The couple, along with their 3-month-old son, were stopped outside their home in London, handcuffed, and searched on suspicion of carrying drugs and weapons. However, no illicit substances or weapons were found.
The tribunal's chairman, Damien Moore, emphasized that Clapham and Franks were dedicated and respected officers whose reputations were unfairly tarnished by the initial ruling. Moore stated that both officers did not lie and should be reinstated to the Metropolitan Police force, with back pay to be provided.
Following the original incident, Williams had recorded a video of the encounter, which garnered widespread attention online. She expressed hope that the outcome of the appeal would prompt the Met Police to address issues of racism within its ranks. Dos Santos also criticized the officers' actions, alleging that he was targeted based on racial stereotypes, including being accused of 'bad driving, threatening violence, and drug possession' under the pretext of 'driving while Black.'
The Metropolitan Police, the largest police force in the U.K., has faced longstanding allegations of institutional racism and sexism. The case involving Clapham and Franks adds to the ongoing scrutiny of the force's practices and treatment of minority communities.
