A Met Police officer is being investigated for alleged racially aggravated assault and false imprisonment after a mother was wrongly arrested in front of her young son for bus fare evasion.
The woman was later de-arrested when it was confirmed she had in fact paid her bus fare.
Watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the officer is also under investigation for potential gross misconduct.
IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “The decision to conduct a criminal investigation is not something we take lightly and was made after careful consideration of the material we have gathered to date, including liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
“It’s important to emphasise that this development does not necessarily mean that criminal charges or disciplinary proceedings will follow.
“At the conclusion of the investigation, we will decide whether to refer a file of evidence to the CPS for a charging decision and also decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.
“Representatives for the woman and the officer have been advised of this update and we will keep them informed throughout our investigation.”
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