A JustGiving page has garnered more than £100,000 in just two days to support two Metropolitan Police officers, PCs Jonathan Clapham and Sam Franks, who were dismissed from their positions due to their involvement in the stop and search of Team GB star Bianca Williams and her partner Ricardo Dos Santos.
The incident took place on July 4, 2020, when the officers pulled over and handcuffed Portuguese Olympian Bianca Williams, 28, and Team GB world championship medalist Ricardo Dos Santos, 29. They later faced accusations of lying about smelling cannabis coming from the couple’s car. While allegations against three other officers were not proven, PCs Clapham and Franks were dismissed for gross misconduct.
The JustGiving fundraiser was initiated on Wednesday evening with the aim of providing financial support to the two officers during the ongoing cost of living crisis. The account, simply identified as ‘UK’, initially set a target of £2,000, which was swiftly raised to £50,000 within 14 hours of being launched.
As of 10 a.m. today, the campaign had raised over £102,000. A statement on the page expressed concern for the financial burdens the officers and their families face during times of austerity, including mortgage payments, food bills, and the rising cost of living. It pledged that every donation would go towards supporting the officers and their families.
Among the thousands of contributors were individuals identifying themselves as retired police officers. One anonymous donor commented on the challenges faced by serving officers, mentioning a lack of support and criticism for going beyond their minimum duties.
Ricardo Dos Santos recently accused the Metropolitan Police of racial profiling after he and Bianca Williams were handcuffed by officers who falsely claimed to smell cannabis during a stop and search. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Dos Santos revealed that he had never used drugs or alcohol in his life, and he believed the police’s lie about cannabis odour was an attempt to justify their actions. He expressed his belief that they were targeted due to the colour of their skin.
While PC Clapham and PC Franks were dismissed for gross misconduct, the panel overseeing the case found it not proven that they breached standards of professional behaviour in respect of equality and diversity. The Metropolitan Police has issued an apology to Mr. Dos Santos and Ms. Williams for the distress they endured.
Bianca Williams, visibly emotional, mentioned considering leaving the UK during an interview, citing concerns about the safety and future of her son. She also criticized the lengthy duration of the misconduct hearing, which took three years to reach a conclusion.
The JustGiving campaign continues to receive support, with many expressing solidarity with the dismissed officers, and others emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in policing.
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