In 2017, Dale Seer, a successful bank manager earning £72,000 a year, was wrongfully arrested by the Metropolitan Police in an incident that he believes was driven by racial profiling. Seer, who owns 14 properties and lives a comfortable life, was stopped while driving and arrested on suspicion of firearms possession. The police handcuffed him in front of his neighbors and subsequently searched his home for weapons, but found none. Despite Seer’s protests that he was a bank manager with no involvement in criminal activities, the police proceeded with the arrest.
Arrest and Allegations
On the day of the arrest, Seer was on his way to drop off his partner, Denise Hugan, at the train station as she was about to travel for a funeral. The police stopped him, ordering him out of his car and informing him that he was under arrest for firearms possession. Seer was taken aback by the accusation, as he had no involvement in any criminal activities. After taking him into custody, the police conducted a thorough search of his property, looking for guns, but nothing was found. The officers, however, proceeded to accuse him of living above his means without any clear understanding of his financial situation.
Racially Insensitive Comments
During the search of Seer’s property, one of the police officers made a comment that Seer found to be racially insensitive. The officer remarked, “Not bad for a young lad from Montserrat, is it?” This comment, which Seer believes was racially motivated, added to his distress. Seer pointed out that such a comment would never be made about someone from Cambridge, highlighting the racial undertones of the situation.
Further Allegations and Investigation
The initial firearms allegation was followed by a second accusation of money laundering. Seer had £1,900 in his safe at the time of the search, which the police seized. They provided Hugan with £100 from this amount for her travel expenses, even as they accused Seer of laundering money. Seer was suspended from his job for 15 months during the investigation, causing significant distress and financial hardship. Despite the severity of the allegations, no charges were brought against him, and he was eventually allowed to return to work. However, the impact of the wrongful arrest and the investigation continued to affect his life.
Impact on Seer and His Family
The wrongful arrest and subsequent investigation took a heavy toll on Seer and his family. Seer described how the experience left him feeling broken, leading to anxiety and a fear of police encounters. He lost weight, stopped eating, and withdrew from social activities, effectively becoming a prisoner in his own home. Hugan, who also had her house searched by the police, spoke about the emotional toll the situation had on Seer and the rest of the family. The uncertainty and fear of what might happen next left them in a state of constant anxiety.
Repeated Incidents and Legal Action
Seer’s ordeal did not end with the initial incident. In 2019, the police executed a second warrant to search his property, once again looking for firearms. This time, Seer had more money in his safe, but the police did not arrest him, stating that the amount was below the minimum standard that would warrant an arrest. This inconsistency further fueled Seer’s belief that he was being targeted due to his race.
Seer has since taken legal action against the Metropolitan Police, suing them for a million pounds in damages. His lawyer, Andrew Ford, highlighted the significant psychological and financial damage that Seer and his family have suffered as a result of the wrongful arrest and ongoing investigation. Ford pointed out that Seer’s career has plateaued, not due to natural progression, but because of the 15-month suspension he faced.
Lack of Accountability from the Metropolitan Police
The Metropolitan Police have maintained that the complaints against them were thoroughly investigated by their Professional Standards officers, with no findings of misconduct against the officers involved. However, they acknowledged that comments made during the investigation could be perceived as discriminatory and apologized to Seer. The officer responsible for the comments had already resigned, preventing further action from being taken against him.
Despite the apology, Seer remains unsatisfied with the police’s response. He expressed frustration over the lack of accountability and the ongoing impact of the situation on his life. Seer and Hugan have both emphasized the need for meaningful action and accountability to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Conclusion
Seer’s case has drawn attention to the issue of racial profiling within the Metropolitan Police. His experience highlights the broader problem of systemic racism and the need for significant reforms within the police force. As Seer continues to seek justice, his story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by black individuals in the UK who are often unfairly targeted based on their race.
