Cop race abuse claim

News

Cop race abuse claim

Thursday, 05 March 2009

Youth Worker Brian Akintokun’s view of the police has changed since his arrest

By Jenny Clover

A YOUTH worker says he was racially abused and assaulted by cops the day before attending the funeral of a knife victim.

Scotland Yard’s internal watchdog is investigating claims by Brian Akintokun after he took his case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

The 23-year-old said his experience had tainted his view of the Met.

He said: “I’ve never even been arrested before – I couldn’t have a criminal record to do the job I do.

“Stop and search is a real issue in the community and a lot of the people I work with don’t have confidence in the police any more.

“I want to send out a message to the new Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson that we need relations to get better so we can work on targeting violent gang culture.

“I work with the police in my profession and generally we have a good relationship.

“But this kind of heavy-handedness doesn’t help.”

Mr Akintokun had helped organise the funeral of knife victim Anthony Ogazi, who was stabbed to death in Olney Road, Walworth, last May.

The pair had been introduced through the youth worker’s job at Clapham Park Homes housing association.

He said: “I knew Anthony for about four months. He was interested in music and he wanted to build up his experience. “We were hoping to work with the Prince’s Trust but that was cut short when he was stabbed to death.”

On August 5, the day before Anthony’s funeral, Mr Akintokun, of Shenley Road, Camberwell, was driving his mum’s car in Kennington Park Road when he was stopped by cops.

He said he suffered the abuse and assault during his arrest for driving without correct documents, an allegation he is now being prosecuted for but intends to deny.

After being taken into custody at 7pm he was released four hours later.

He said: “The funeral was a sombre occasion and I was going to stand up and speak about Anthony, but I wasn’t in any fit condition to say anything.”

A Met spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that a complaint about assault and racial abuse by Met police officers was referred to us in December and it is being investigated by the Directorate of Professional Standards.”

Seven men are standing trial accused of Anthony’s murder.

Email: jenny.clover@slp.co.uk