An online fundraiser set up to support two Metropolitan Police officers who were sacked following a controversial stop and search incident involving two black athletes has received over ?20,000 in donations. PC Jonathan Clapham and PC Sam Franks were dismissed after a disciplinary hearing found them guilty of gross misconduct for lying about smelling cannabis when they stopped Olympic competitors Ricardo dos Santos and Bianca Williams. The JustGiving page, named 'UK', was created in order to financially support the officers during the current cost of living crisis. The initial target was set at ?2,000 but has been exceeded by the hundreds of anonymous donations, some of which were made by retired officers.

The incident occurred on 4th July 2020 when sprinter Mr dos Santos and his partner, Ms Williams, were stopped by the police in their Mercedes with their three-month-old son outside their home in Maida Vale, west London. The disciplinary hearing revealed that the claims made by the officers about smelling marijuana were fabricated, leading to their dismissal. However, three other officers involved in the arrest were cleared of any wrongdoing. Bodyworn footage shown during the hearing depicted a tearful Ms Williams pleading with the officers to allow her to comfort her crying child, while Mr dos Santos protested, informing the officers that their son was in the car as they were being forcefully removed from the vehicle. At one point, the officers insinuated that the couple had something to hide and had antagonised them. The hearing also revealed that PC Casey had walked the route the couple had driven in order to check if anything had been thrown from the car. Despite being held for 45 minutes, no illegal items were found in their car or in their possession.

The Independent Office For Police Conduct (IOPC), which brought the case against the officers, stated that the detention of Mr dos Santos and Ms Williams was unjustified and excessive due to racial profiling. Karon Monaghan KC, representing the IOPC, argued that there is institutional discrimination within the Metropolitan Police. The officers' conduct was found to have breached professional standards of honesty and integrity, resulting in their dismissal for gross misconduct. The Met officers were part of a territorial support group unit tasked with combatting priority crimes such as gang and knife offences.

Mr dos Santos and Ms Williams, both Team GB athletes, filed a complaint with the police watchdog following the incident, believing they had been racially profiled during the stop and search. Speaking after the disciplinary hearing, Mr dos Santos stressed the importance of holding the police accountable for their actions, saying, "If we can't trust in the police to be honest and accept when they have done wrong... what hope is there." He also highlighted the toll the case has taken on their family and careers and called on those with a voice to use it.

During the misconduct hearing, Acting Police Sergeant Rachel Simpson, PC Allan Casey, PC Jonathan Clapham, PC Michael Bond, and PC Sam Franks all denied the allegations against them. PCs Casey and Bond, as well as Sergeant Simpson, were found not to have breached any standards. The IOPC's case relied on documents and reports demonstrating that black individuals are more likely to be stopped and searched in London and are routinely treated with more suspicion and hostility by police officers. Mr dos Santos accused the officers of detaining him due to the color of his skin and expressed fear for the safety of his partner and son during the encounter.

The officers claimed that they followed Mr dos Santos due to his driving behavior, describing it as “appalling” and "suspicious," and maintained that they were carrying out their duty when they conducted the stop and search.