Police ‘smelled hashish’ throughout cease and search of Ricardo Dos Santos and Bianca Williams
A police officer stated he thought he might odor hashish coming from the automobile of sprinter Ricardo Dos Santos and his associate Team GB athlete Bianca Williams, a misconduct listening to has heard.
The prime athletes consider they had been racially profiled throughout a “disturbing” cease and search incident as they drove to their house in West London on July 4, 2020.
Five Metropolitan Police officers have denied accusations of gross misconduct.
PC Allan Casey informed a colleague “there’s certainly a whiff of something” throughout the encounter.
The couple, who had been travelling with their then three-month-old boy, had been handcuffed for 45 minutes, and looked for medicine and weapons, however nothing was discovered.
The disciplinary listening to was additionally proven footage of PC Casey “walking the route” the couple had pushed to verify nothing had been discarded from the automobile, however once more, nothing was discovered.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog, which the misconduct case has been introduced on behalf of, alleges a few of the officers “lied” in saying there was a odor of hashish after they stopped the automobile, the listening to was beforehand informed.
PC Casey additionally informed the listening to he did not suppose any driving offences could possibly be proved in opposition to Mr Dos Santos.
Ricardo Santos exterior courtroom
Mr Dos Santos has beforehand informed the listening to he feared for his household’s security throughout the encounter.
Dashcam footage confirmed officers pulling Mr Dos Santos from the driving force’s seat and taking him to the roadside the place he was handcuffed.
A tearful Ms Williams can then be heard telling police: “My son is in the car – I need to look after him.”
Moments later she too is handcuffed, as one of many officers advised the couple had “antagonised” the police and “may have something to hide”.
At one level within the footage, the toddler could be heard crying as an officer leaned into the again of the automobile to “check around the baby seat” earlier than Ms Williams is allowed to gather her son.
Police bodycam footage of the incident
29-year-old Ms Williams is a gold medallist within the 4x100m relays on the 2018 European Championships and Commonwealth Games.
28-year-old Mr Dos Santos competed within the 400m dash on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
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Acting Sgt Rachel Simpson and PCs Allan Casey, Jonathan Clapham, Michael Bond and Sam Franks all face allegations that they breached police requirements relating to equality and variety throughout the cease and search.
Acting Sgt Simpson and PCs Clapham, Bond and Franks are accused of breaching requirements over using pressure and respect.
PCs Casey, Clapham, Bond and Franks additionally face allegations over the accuracy of their account of the cease.
Read extra:
Sprinter ‘feared’ for family during police stop and search
Bianca Williams tears up as she recounts police stop and search
They have stated they believed the automobile was being pushed suspiciously and have denied any wrongdoing.
The 5 law enforcement officials concerned could possibly be sacked if gross misconduct is established.
The six-week listening to continues.