Suffolk police to be investigated over questioning of black couple in 'profiling' incident

Independent Office for Police Conduct launches investigation into incident in Ipswich after footage of exchange between officers and black couple attracts widespread outrage online
David Child16 July 2020
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The police watchdog has launched an investigation after officers accused a black woman of "jumping on the bandwagon" when they stopped her and her husband.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the incident involving Ingrid Antoine-Onikoyi, her husband, Falil, and two officers from the Suffolk Police force.

Suffolk Police told the Evening Standard that the matter had been "voluntarily referred" to the IOPC.

"The IOPC have decided they will conduct an independent investigation into the complaint and therefore it would not be appropriate for the force to comment further at this time," a Suffolk Constabulary spokesman said.

A complaint was made after two officers were filmed asking Ms Antoine-Onikoyi, 47, and Falil, 50, for their details after the couple had parked their cars near a relative's home in Ipswich, saying they were making the request "because we can".

In the video, a male officer accuses the couple of looking "suspicious". He says: "At the end of the day, whether it looks funny or not, you were driving a motor vehicle on a road, so therefore I am requiring you to provide proof of drivers (licence)."

Footage of the incident was circulated widely on Twitter (Maja Antoine)
Maja Antoine

Ms Antoine-Oniyoke replies to him: “You are kidding us right now. You can see why people get upset.”

The female officer later says: “You have turned something irate that shouldn’t be. You are just jumping on the bandwagon - that’s not okay”.

She appeared to be referring to anti-racism demonstrations sparked by the killing of George Floyd in the United States.

Ms Antoine-Onikoyi told the officers at the time their behaviour was "disgusting”, while her husband accuses them of “profiling” the pair.

Footage of the exchange was subsequently shared on Twitter by the couple's daughter, Maja Antoine, and has since been viewed more than two million times on the platform.

She said in her tweet: "It's suspicious to walk from your car to your house, while black. The UK is not innocent."

Commenting on the incident, IOPC regional director Sarah Green said it had "raised concerns about public confidence in policing and not least from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities".

"To ensure the police are accountable for their actions it is important we establish all of the circumstances surrounding this incident," she said.

“We will be examining the stop, whether the actions of the officers were appropriate and proportionate, followed approved police policies and whether the officers treated the man and his partner differently because of their race.”

Speaking to the BBC after receiving news of the IOPC investigation, Ms Antoine said she was "pleased" but pressed for a "proper" probe into the incident.

"What we need is a proper apology," she added.

Suffolk Police issued a public apology over last month's incident shortly after it took place.

The force said in a statement at the time: "Suffolk Constabulary is aware of the video circulating on social media involving two of our officers.

“Having looked at the issues raised by a large number of people, particularly regarding certain comments which were made on the video, we would like to apologise for the offence these have caused.”

It continued: "The constabulary is very aware of the depth of feeling surrounding the events of the last few weeks and the issue of racism in our society.

“We always try to ensure we police all our communities with dignity, respect and fairness. Where those values are not met we will do everything we can to learn from that.”

The Standard has contacted the IOPC for comment.

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