The proceedings of the athlete couple’s arrest ended on Wednesday.
Bianca Williams is a World Cup medalist. EPA/AOP
Two police officers were fired by an athletics couple by Ricardo dos Santos and by Bianca Williams treatment, says the Guardian.
Constables working for the Greater London Police stopped the couple driving the car in July 2020. Dos Santos and Williams were returning from training in their Mercedes car, with the couple’s baby on board.
Police said they stopped the family because of the smell of cannabis. According to the police, the car could also be linked to gangs.
The athletes were handcuffed and held for 45 minutes.
The police officers admitted during the investigation that they had no objective reason to suspect Dos Santos of drug possession.
The panel that investigated the matter concluded that the smell of cannabis has very likely traveled to the place from another area. Police did not confirm where the smell came from. They described being “captured by a lie” when no evidence was found.
Police officers were fired for gross misconduct. They are no longer allowed to work in the police.
Three other police officers involved in the incident were acquitted. They were accused of gross official misconduct. The investigation could not prove that the ethnic origin of the athletes was the reason for the stop and the actions of the police.
Apology
Ricardo dos Santos has spoken about the case publicly. PDO
Dos Santos said he has never used drugs or drunk alcohol. He counted that he had been stopped and checked on the street 20 times since he was a teenager.
– I get nervous when I see the police. I am traumatized.
Dos Santos accused the Greater London Police of structural racism, but the police department denied the claim. Williams was satisfied with the punishment the officers received.
– This step is huge, but it shouldn’t have taken three years, Williams told the BBC.
– Many people still get stopped by the police and the excuse is the same old smell of cannabis, even though nothing is found, the runner continued.
Greater London Police apologized to the couple.
– Police work is based on honesty and straightforwardness. As the panel stated, employees who act contrary to these values have no place in Greater London Police. Mr. Dos Santos and Ms. Williams deserved better. I apologize for the distress they had to experience, Deputy Commissioner of Police District Matt Ward said.
Williams is the World Cup medalist in the 4×100 meter relay. Dos Santos has run 400 meters in the Olympics, among others.