Bianca Williams decries ‘culture of racism’ as Met police officers face misconduct charges

Bianca Williams, the innocent athlete stopped and searched by the Metropolitan police, has criticised a “culture of racism” within the force as it was announced that five officers will face a gross misconduct hearing over the incident.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct on Wednesday announced the disciplinary charges over the stop of Williams and her partner, Richard Dos Santos, as they drove in a Mercedes in north-west London in July 2020.

Both athletes, who were handcuffed after the stop with their three-month-old baby in the car, said racial bias led to their treatment, which police deny.

Four constables and an acting sergeant face gross misconduct charges, which if proven could lead to them being sacked.

The officers are alleged to have breached standards on duties and responsibilities, use of force, equality and diversity, order and instructions and authority, respect and courtesy and honesty and integrity.

The Guardian revealed on Tuesday that the five officers would face gross misconduct hearings.

Williams said on Wednesday: “I welcome this decision and hope this opens the door for the Met to start being more honest and reflective about the culture of racism which is undoubtedly still a reality within the organisation. A clear focus on the racism problem within the Met by the IOPC is long overdue.”

Footage of the stop and search was one of a series of videos that surfaced on social media that triggered concerns over the Met and how it was treating black people.

It came as the Black Lives Matter movement took off in the wake of the May 2020 murder of George Floyd by police in the US.

Police gave as their reasons for the stop that they suspected the elite athletes may have drugs or weapons. Nothing was found