Black cop sues Met Police for racial harassment after two white officers stopped his car

Black cop sues Met Police for racial harassment after two white officers stopped his car

A black officer is set to sue the Metropolitan Police for racial harassment after he was pulled over while driving by two white cops.

Inspector Charles Ehikioya decided to film the traffic stop after noticing that his colleague’s body-worn camera was not turned on during the May 23 incident.

He told the BBC that he believes he was pulled over as he returned home from work in London for no other reason than the fact he was black.

The inspector felt his internal complaint was not taken seriously

When asked why he was planning on suing the force, the 55-year-old said he felt he had “no choice” after his formal complaint was not taken seriously.

Mr Ehikioya said: “In my view it’s not the whole organisation that’s like that, it’s only a few individuals that are causing this issue.

“It’s just sad that some people don’t want to hear it … I feel that has not been taken seriously and has not been listened to, but instead I am being persecuted, and I am not prepared to sit quietly.

“Therefore I have no choice but to react in the way I am reacting. Enough talk – action speaks louder than words.”

The Met confirmed they had received an internal complaint on May 24 but had found “no evidence of misconduct”.

Commander Alison Heydari said: “The review found no evidence at all of racial profiling. “There have been comments reported today that these officers, who carried out the stop, are ‘clearly racist’ and even ‘two active racists’.

“I cannot say strongly enough how wholly unfair that is based upon the evidence and the review carried out.

“These officers were simply doing their job and carried out the stop in a polite and professional manner.

“All officers involved in this incident, including the officer who raised the concerns, are being supported.”

The incident took place in Croydon as Mr Ehikioya was driving home, with one of the officers saying he was stopped due to his speed and because “it looked like he had gone through a red light”.

The officer also asked for Mr Ehikioya’s driving licence as well as proof that he was insured to drive the car, that the vehicle had not been stolen, that he was not intoxicated and that he not been using his phone.

He said Mr Ehikioya’s driving was “unusual”, which the inspector strongly disputed, according to the recording, which the BBC has seen.

The two officers left the scene after Mr Ehikioya informed them he was a serving colleague and showed them his police badge.

When asked why he thought he was pulled over, Mr Ehikioya said: “The reason that I feel I was pulled over was no other reason than the fact that they seen a black man driving a car.

“I just feel they done this because I was black.

“This is well out of order and it shouldn’t be the reason why you go around intimidating members of the public, because I truly believe in the ethos and the tenet upon which policing was formed, that the community are the police and the police are the community – therefore there’s no ‘them’ and ‘us’.”

The Met noted in their statement that no action was taken against the inspector as a result of the stop.

The complaint comes amid renewed criticism of police use of stop and search powers, with Labour MP Dawn Butler claiming she was racially profiled by officers in Hackney, east London, who pulled her and a black friend over.

The Met defended the officers who stopped her car, with Deputy Commissioner Sir Steve House complaining they had faced “trial by social media” following the incident.

Ms Butler on Tuesday said: “Calling out wrong behaviour isn’t easy, it is in fact quite painful.

“A long-serving police officer, an athlete representing her country, a Member of Parliament. We are just the tip of the iceberg.

“The Met Police Commissioner desperately needs to show she understands the legitimate concerns of black Londoners.

“I have raised my concerns with the mayor of London, who agrees that the Met need to do much more to earn back our trust and confidence.”

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