Investigation into grounds for stop and search and use of force – Metropolitan Police Service, January 2024

Six police officers decided to perform a ‘stop and account’ on a man. The officers had noticed the man changing direction when he caught sight of them. 

The officers then decided to search the man under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The officers handcuffed the man, and a scuffle occurred. One officer alleged the man assaulted him while doing this, and the man was arrested for assaulting an emergency worker. 

The man’s mother approached the officers to ask what was happening. She tried to calm her son down as he was agitated during the search and his arrest. 

The mother contacted the MPS a few days later saying she was assaulted by an officer, causing her injury. She believed she was treated this way because she was Black. 

The mother also complained on behalf of her son. She believed he was detained unlawfully and searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 while subject to excessive force because he was a Black man. 

We received a complaint referral from the force and decided to independently investigate the matter. We examined the contact between the officers, the man, and his mother. This included the grounds for the stop and search, whether the arrest and any use of force was justified and proportionate, if the police’s actions were carried out in accordance with force policy, guidance and legislation, and whether the man or his mother were differently because of their race. 

We examined the officers’ body worn video and statements, and reviewed policy, guidance, legislation and training materials. 

We concluded there was no indication that a person serving with the police committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner justifying the bringing of disciplinary proceedings. 

We did recommend that one officer undertake the reflective practice review process, focusing on effective tactical communications, empathy, and strategies to defuse challenging interactions. We also recommended this process be used to remind the officer about the importance of completing use of force forms. 

We carefully considered whether there were any learning opportunities arising from the investigation. We make learning recommendations to improve policing and public confidence in the police complaints system and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. 

We did not identify any organisational learning in this case.