A GROUP of Metropolitan Police officers have been accused of racism and stereotyping a black man driving a nice car as someone who must be engaged in criminality, a misconduct panel heard today.

Olympic sprinter Ricardo Dos Santos and his partner British athlete Bianca Williams believe they were racially profiled during an encounter on July 4 2020.

Police followed them as they drove to their west London home from training with their baby son, then three months old, in the back of their Mercedes.

The couple were handcuffed and searched on suspicion of having drugs and weapons after they pulled over outside their property, but nothing was found.

Acting Sgt Rachel Simpson and PCs Allan Casey, Jonathan Clapham, Michael Bond and Sam Franks deny all charges against them, which include allegations that they breached police standards over equality and diversity during the stop and search action.

They could be sacked if gross misconduct is proven.

Karon Monaghan KC, for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), told the panel in closing submissions today that Mr Dos Santos had been repeatedly stopped and searched by police, including nine times in four weeks after buying a car in 2018.

“He believes he is stereotyped as a black man in a nice car — so he must be engaged in criminality of some sort,” Ms Monaghan said.

The officers also face allegations that their actions amounted to a breach of professional behaviour standards in relation to the use of force.

They are said to have failed in relation to their levels of authority, respect and courtesy, as well as in their duties and responsibilities.

The hearing continues.