A former investigator for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has alleged that she resigned after senior managers diluted her probe into the stop and search of Team GB sprinter Bianca Williams. Trishia Napier, who had worked at the watchdog for 17 years, told BBC Newsnight that her conclusion that officers should face potential gross misconduct proceedings was downgraded to a lower charge of misconduct.
Ms Williams and her partner Ricardo dos Santos were stopped by Metropolitan Police officers in Maida Vale, west London, in July 2020. The couple were handcuffed in front of their three-month-old son, and their car was searched for weapons and drugs, but nothing suspicious was found. Ms Williams accused officers of racial profiling.
Ms Napier claimed that her boss, former IOPC director general Michael Lockwood, asked to see footage and documents in the case, which she said was unprecedented. She also alleged that Sal Naseem, the regional director for London, was appointed to oversee the investigation instead of the original supervisor. She described the decision to overturn her gross misconduct recommendation as 'unprecedented' and said it cast 'serious doubt on the IOPC's independence'.
The IOPC has 'absolutely refuted' the claims, stating that an internal investigation found 'no evidence of any improper practice or interference'. A spokeswoman said decisions were based solely on evidence and that the director general is responsible for all operational decisions. Ms Napier resigned in November 2020 and is now taking her former employer to tribunal.
Last year, the IOPC announced that five officers involved in the incident would face gross misconduct proceedings, though a date has not yet been set.
