Spotlight on recent police stop takes media attention despite plethora of stabbings across London.

Former Met Police Officers Chris Hobbs today has shared his thoughts on a recent much spoken about police vehicle stop.

Dear Editor,

Amidst the plethora of gang violence, murders, shootings and stabbings, the spotlight of recent media attention was directed at athlete, Ricardo Dos Santos who was allegedly ‘racially profiled’ and stopped by police for the second time in……two years. 

The fact that, from his own footage, he was ‘hogging’ the middle lane of a deserted major road, would have attracted the curiosity of the most inept officer who would have asked himself why. Could it be driving under the influence? Could it indeed be because the driver was distracted by something, perhaps even a mobile phone? Most serving officers would also be aware of the fact that hundreds of high value vehicles are stolen during the night so stopping the vehicle and quickly establishing rightful ownership should also, surely, be a consideration.

The failure by Dos Santos to stop for several minutes would inevitably have aroused suspicions as did his attempting to overtake the police vehicle which pulled in front of him with blue lights flashing. Dos Santos’s assertion that he was looking for a safe spot to stop frankly looks ludicrous given the hour, the deserted road and the fact that the one or more police vehicles with their blue and red flashing lights would have safely lit up his car and the area for miles around like anover-decorated Christmas tree.

His failure to stop would have alerted officers as to a potential threat to their own safety. In recent years and with increasing frequency, criminals have used vehicles to attack and injure police officers and to ram police vehicles. That an officer’s approach to the vehicle was on the testy side can surely be excused. 

As for the ‘overkill’ of seven officers; doubtless those officers were unsure of how many occupants were in the poorly driven vehicle while, in an ideal world, it takes six officers to restrain one violent individual in a manner which ensures the safety of all. (One, for each limb, one to control the head thus preventing butting, spitting and biting plus one to ensure the overall welfare of the suspect). 

Coincidentally, the disciplinary hearing in respect of the five officers who originally stopped Dos Santos and his partner, Bianca Williams two years ago, will be heard in the near future. Those sitting on that panel will now surely be aware of this incident and the furore that will be created unless all five officers are sacked. 

Armed Met officers will continue to attend dangerous incidents and, as often the first to arrive ‘on scene,’ will continue to provide life-saving first aid and comfort to victims regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation.  

Chris Hobbs