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Bianca Williams: Met Police sergeant says she trusted team in athlete stop

PA Media Bianca Williams and Ricardo dos SantosPA Media
Bianca Williams and Ricardo dos Santos accuse the officers of racially profiling them

A Met Police supervising officer has defended the team that stopped and searched British sprinter Bianca Williams and her partner, Portugal Olympic athlete Ricardo dos Santos.

Ms Williams, 29, and Mr Dos Santos, 28, say they were racially profiled during the stop and search in July 2020.

Acting Sgt Rachel Simpson told a police misconduct hearing she trusted the officers "completely".

She and four other Met Police officers deny gross misconduct.

Mr Dos Santos and Ms Williams were stopped outside their home in Maida Vale, west London, and had their three-month-old baby with them in their car.

Both were handcuffed and searched on suspicion of having drugs and weapons - nothing was found and neither was arrested.

Acting Sgt Simpson told the tribunal hearing that the couple's car was going "faster than expected on a cobbled street" and could have been involved in criminal activity.

She told the misconduct panel she was present during the stop and search and her team were "honest, hardworking, dedicated".

"At no point do I raise my voice or be aggressive. I'm using my common sense especially as I could see she was a new mum," she said.

"My concern was that there was a weapon in the car which they could quickly discard."

Police bodycam footage played at the hearing showed the sprinter being handcuffed

Acting Sgt Simpson was asked about alleged racism and in her written statement she said she found it "offensive and absurd" to be accused of racial bias.

When asked about an allegation made of one of her officers smelling cannabis, which was never found, she said she was working with "good, experienced officers" and it was not for her to "question their judgement".

Acting Sgt Simpson, PC Allan Casey, PC Jonathan Clapham, PC Michael Bond and PC Sam Franks deny all accusations, including allegations they breached police standards over equality and diversity during the stop and search.

The hearing continues.

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