Dismissal of two officers over stop and search quashed by tribunal
The independent Police Appeals Tribunal (PAT) has quashed the dismissal of two Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers.
PC Jonathan Clapham and PC Sam Franks were dismissed last October after a misconduct panel concluded they had lied about smelling cannabis when stopping a vehicle in Lanhill Road, West London.
The PAT upheld the officers’ appeal and concluded they should be reinstated. The panel chair found that the officers were “dedicated, hard-working and much-respected”, that they did not lie and that their reputations had been “ruined” by the original findings’.
MPS Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell said: “We know this has been an overly lengthy and horrendous process for PC Clapham and PC Franks, as well as their families and colleagues.
“The original, independently chaired panel found the officers were dishonest, which the PAT has now overturned as irrational.
“We also recognise the impact this case has had on all involved, and have previously apologised to Mr Dos Santos and Ms Bianca Williams for the distress caused during this incident.
“Ultimately, the evidence has shown that the stop and search and the actions of the officers did not amount to misconduct. However, stop and search is most effective when used with the trust and confidence of Londoners.
“The upcoming launch of our new stop and search charter, co-written by Londoners, is helping us greatly with this work.”
Rick Prior, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: “Justice has been served. Why it ever got to this point however remains an absolute mystery.
“PC Jonathan Clapham and PC Sam Franks have today been fully exonerated and their reputations have rightly been restored. We are delighted for them.
“But this result is yet another damning indictment of the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Who holds them to account for what was a political witch hunt against two hard working police officers?
“Our colleagues have been dragged through hell and back for four years. For doing nothing more or less than the job the public of London expect us to do.
“Londoners would want officers to act when they saw such behaviour on our roads… and it remains astonishing that officers lost their jobs for doing their job.
“PC Clapham and PC Franks have had the full support of the Metropolitan Police Federation throughout this horrific ordeal. We thank their Federation representative Joe Ross and their legal team for their work.
“We ask now that PC Clapham and PC Franks are allowed to carry on with their lives and their careers should they wish to.”