Former British soldier accuses police of racially profiling him after being stopped more than FORTY times in ten years
- last year
A restaurateur and former British soldier has accused police of racially profiling him after being stopped - more than FORTY times in ten years.
Dad-of-two Phil Powell – who served twice with the army in Afghanistan - says he is 'constantly’ stopped and searched by police in Ceredigion, Wales.
He says he has been pulled over eight times in the last two years by officers who breathalyze him and check his tyres and insurance.
The 41-year-old says he is repeatedly pulled over because he is black - and has even accused officers of assaulting him.
Phil, who owns a Caribbean restaurant, estimates he has been pulled over by Dyfed-Powys Police over 40 times in the years he has lived in Aberaeron.
He says he has lost count of how often it happens and has been forced into speaking out because he cannot contain his ‘fury and frustration’ any longer.
“I’ve never been in any trouble, I don’t smoke or do drugs, I’m ex-service personnel.
“I’m a respected business owner in the Aberystwyth community and I employ a lot of local people – and people know me in Aberaeron.”
He says he is aware of other non-white friends of his and fellow business owners in Aberystwyth who are also targeted by police.
Mr Powell, who is of Jamaican origin and previously lived in Birmingham, says he has no record of any criminality and has three points on his license for one speeding offence in 2017 which he accepts.
But he objects to the ''staggering frequency'' at which he is stopped under suspicion of speeding and drink driving only to have been penalised once.
Phil added: “Some police officers are consistent – I know who they are.
“But I can tell the difference with people’s tone, their expression, the way they come across, how patronising they are, the look on their face - like they’ve immediately got a grievance.
“I’m not against the police! I’m trained in law enforcement; I know how people should behave.
Responding to the claims made, a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We are aware of the complainant’s concerns having received his complaint via the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in May 2020.
''His complaint was recorded and his concerns were looked into at the time. It was found that on each occasion the complainant was stopped by police there was a legitimate and appropriate reason for doing so.
''In addition there was no indication that race played any part in the decision to stop him.
“Upon conclusion of the complaint the complainant was given a right to appeal the findings to the IOPC, however he did not submit an appeal.
“The recent allegations have not yet been brought to the attention of Dyfed-Powys Police by the complainant, but a member of our Professional Standards Department will be making contact with him to discuss further.”
Dad-of-two Phil Powell – who served twice with the army in Afghanistan - says he is 'constantly’ stopped and searched by police in Ceredigion, Wales.
He says he has been pulled over eight times in the last two years by officers who breathalyze him and check his tyres and insurance.
The 41-year-old says he is repeatedly pulled over because he is black - and has even accused officers of assaulting him.
Phil, who owns a Caribbean restaurant, estimates he has been pulled over by Dyfed-Powys Police over 40 times in the years he has lived in Aberaeron.
He says he has lost count of how often it happens and has been forced into speaking out because he cannot contain his ‘fury and frustration’ any longer.
“I’ve never been in any trouble, I don’t smoke or do drugs, I’m ex-service personnel.
“I’m a respected business owner in the Aberystwyth community and I employ a lot of local people – and people know me in Aberaeron.”
He says he is aware of other non-white friends of his and fellow business owners in Aberystwyth who are also targeted by police.
Mr Powell, who is of Jamaican origin and previously lived in Birmingham, says he has no record of any criminality and has three points on his license for one speeding offence in 2017 which he accepts.
But he objects to the ''staggering frequency'' at which he is stopped under suspicion of speeding and drink driving only to have been penalised once.
Phil added: “Some police officers are consistent – I know who they are.
“But I can tell the difference with people’s tone, their expression, the way they come across, how patronising they are, the look on their face - like they’ve immediately got a grievance.
“I’m not against the police! I’m trained in law enforcement; I know how people should behave.
Responding to the claims made, a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We are aware of the complainant’s concerns having received his complaint via the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in May 2020.
''His complaint was recorded and his concerns were looked into at the time. It was found that on each occasion the complainant was stopped by police there was a legitimate and appropriate reason for doing so.
''In addition there was no indication that race played any part in the decision to stop him.
“Upon conclusion of the complaint the complainant was given a right to appeal the findings to the IOPC, however he did not submit an appeal.
“The recent allegations have not yet been brought to the attention of Dyfed-Powys Police by the complainant, but a member of our Professional Standards Department will be making contact with him to discuss further.”