Sunday 7 August 2022 04:25 PM Scotland Yard denies racism after a black postal worker walking his dog 'was ... trends now
The Metropolitan Police made no apology for any force used against a black Londoner paid £30,000 in damages after he was strip-searched and put in a 'headlock' while walking his dog.
Zac Sharif-Ali suffered a mental breakdown after he was illegally stopped and searched by white plains-clothes officer PC Duncan Bullock in December 2012.
After a decade-long fight for justice, the Met last month accepted the search and headlock, which left Sharif-Ali 'gasping for breath', was illegal.
Bullock did not properly identify himself and did not give his name or station.
Sharif-Ali was detained by PC Bullock at Chiswick Common (pictured) while walking his dog
Postman and aspiring musician Sharif-Ali was released without charge later that day, The Observer reported.
Mr Sharif-Ali was handed £30,000 worth of damages, ending his civil claim for compensation.
A letter from the Met's standards directorate states it is 'a matter of regret' that Sharif-Ali was unlawfully searched.
It added: 'I acknowledge the anxiety and distress this incident caused you and would like to apologise to you on behalf of the Metropolitan police service.'
Yet there was no apology in the letter for any force used.
The Met continues to claim Sharif-Ali was not stopped because of the colour of his skin, the newspaper reported.
It also denies that Sharif-Ali was placed in a prolonged neck hold or that any unapproved restraints were used.
A report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found that Bullock's method of restraint appeared to contradict training procedures.
Other officers were surprised by the PC's behaviour, which they said 'came out of nowhere' and made Sharif-Ali virtually unable to speak, the
