Rick Prior, the vice chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, has issued a statement following the dismissal of two Metropolitan Police officers without notice. The officers faced this outcome following a six-week misconduct hearing that found they had provided false statements regarding the smell of cannabis during a stop and search involving Ms. Bianca Williams and Mr. dos Santos in central London.
The incident took place on July 4, 2020, when officers from the Met’s Territorial Support Group (TSG) were patrolling in Maida Vale, London, due to a surge in violent crime. During their patrol, they observed a vehicle with tinted windows being driven erratically, including driving on the wrong side of the road. It was alleged that the officers initiated the stop and search based on the ethnicity of the driver, although this allegation was not proven.
As officers attempted to catch up with the vehicle, it accelerated at high speed but was eventually stopped. Allegations were made that the officer driving the police carrier had initiated an unauthorized pursuit, and Mr. dos Santos’ vehicle was ‘boxed in,’ but this allegation was not proven.
Upon exiting the police carrier, officers encountered Ms. Bianca Williams, her partner, and their 11-month-old son inside the vehicle. Ms. Williams recorded the incident on her mobile phone and later uploaded the footage to social media, where it went viral.
During the incident, allegations of excessive force being used during Mr. dos Santos’ arrest were made but were found not proven by the panel.
Following the incident, the Metropolitan Police released a statement explaining their actions, citing the manner of the vehicle’s operation, its attempt to evade police, and the driver’s refusal to leave the vehicle as reasons for the stop and search.
Rick Prior, in response to the panel’s findings, posted on X: “We continue to support the two officers dismissed after yesterday’s extremely disappointing GM panel findings, and we have been in detailed discussions with the officers’ legal team today concerning appealing the two adverse decisions.”
Prior mentioned that the majority of allegations against all officers were found unproven and rejected. The panel found allegations of honesty and integrity related to the smell of cannabis proven against two officers but noted that the stop and search was lawful and carried out under specific legislation.
Prior also criticized the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), stating that their statement was “highly misleading” and suggested political influence.
As of the time of publishing this article, a JustGiving page created to support the families of the dismissed officers had raised nearly £50,000. The page’s creator noted that it aimed to provide financial support to PC Jonathan Clapham and PC Sam Franks, who were both dismissed without notice, particularly given the financial challenges they now face due to their dismissal.
The incident took place on July 4, 2020, when officers from the Met’s Territorial Support Group (TSG) were patrolling in Maida Vale, London, due to a surge in violent crime. During their patrol, they observed a vehicle with tinted windows being driven erratically, including driving on the wrong side of the road. It was alleged that the officers initiated the stop and search based on the ethnicity of the driver, although this allegation was not proven.
As officers attempted to catch up with the vehicle, it accelerated at high speed but was eventually stopped. Allegations were made that the officer driving the police carrier had initiated an unauthorized pursuit, and Mr. dos Santos’ vehicle was ‘boxed in,’ but this allegation was not proven.
Upon exiting the police carrier, officers encountered Ms. Bianca Williams, her partner, and their 11-month-old son inside the vehicle. Ms. Williams recorded the incident on her mobile phone and later uploaded the footage to social media, where it went viral.
During the incident, allegations of excessive force being used during Mr. dos Santos’ arrest were made but were found not proven by the panel.
Following the incident, the Metropolitan Police released a statement explaining their actions, citing the manner of the vehicle’s operation, its attempt to evade police, and the driver’s refusal to leave the vehicle as reasons for the stop and search.
Rick Prior, in response to the panel’s findings, posted on X: “We continue to support the two officers dismissed after yesterday’s extremely disappointing GM panel findings, and we have been in detailed discussions with the officers’ legal team today concerning appealing the two adverse decisions.”
Prior mentioned that the majority of allegations against all officers were found unproven and rejected. The panel found allegations of honesty and integrity related to the smell of cannabis proven against two officers but noted that the stop and search was lawful and carried out under specific legislation.
Prior also criticized the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), stating that their statement was “highly misleading” and suggested political influence.
As of the time of publishing this article, a JustGiving page created to support the families of the dismissed officers had raised nearly £50,000. The page’s creator noted that it aimed to provide financial support to PC Jonathan Clapham and PC Sam Franks, who were both dismissed without notice, particularly given the financial challenges they now face due to their dismissal.
