Black Athletes: Over £20,000 raised for suspended Met officials in stop and search operation
PC Sam Franks, who were recently dismissed from their roles after they were found guilty of gross misconduct in a stop and search operation involving two black Olympic athletes garnered over £20,000 in donations.
The JustGiving page, initiated to aid the officers during the current economic challenges, set an initial target of £2,000.
The statement on the page emphasizes the impact on mortgage payments, food bills, and day-to-day expenses that both officers and their families are likely to face.
Donations have poured in, including contributions from retired officers, showcasing a show of solidarity within the community.
The incident in question occurred on July 4, 2020, when sprinter Ricardo dos Santos and Bianca Williams, were stopped by police while driving with their three-month-old baby in Maida Vale, west London. The disciplinary panel determined that the officers' claim of smelling marijuana during the stop was fabricated, leading to their dismissal for gross misconduct.
During the 45-minute search, no illegal substances were found in the car or in possession of the atheletes.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) initiated the case against the officers, asserting that the detention of Mr. dos Santos and Ms.
Williams was racially motivated.
Earlier, the couple had filed a complaint with the police watchdog, asserting that they were targeted due to racial profiling, citing the term «DWB, driving while black,» as a factor in the incident. The watchdog subsequently initiated proceedings against the officers.
