CCTV footage has been released of a Sex Education actor being pepper-sprayed by officers who wrongly suspected him of being involved in a police chase.
The police watchdog found the force used to detain Reece Richards, who appeared as Eugene in two episodes of the hit Netflix series, was “reasonable” and did not uphold an allegation he was discriminated against because of his race.
Mr Richards, who was touring in Hairspray The Musical at the time, said he was thrown to the ground on 4 September last year following a performance of the stage show in Fulham, southwest London.
He said he was the “victim of an unlawful arrest and police misconduct… just yards from my front door” and the incident made it “painfully clear that racial profiling remains a significant issue”, in a social media post.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation after Mr Richards and his mother made complaints relating to the level of force used, the officers’ treatment of him and an allegation he was treated in a discriminatory manner because he was black.
CCTV footage released at the end of the probe shows Mr Richards walking along Fulham Palace Road, wearing a cap and headphones, with his mobile phone in his left hand.
He is seen dropping the suitcase he is pulling as the driver being pursued by police crashes off camera.
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A man runs past him followed by a Metropolitan Police officer before Mr Richards drops his backpack and runs in a different direction.
He is then seen walking backwards before kneeling on the ground as an officer who had stopped him holds his PAVA spray towards the actor.
Two other officers run on to the scene and grab Mr Richards, who is taken to the ground in a struggle before one of the officers sprays him and he is handcuffed.
The IOPC said its investigation “found no indication that any officers acted in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or had committed a criminal offence”.
The watchdog also did not uphold complaints about the officers’ use of force against him or that officers treated him differently due to his race.
IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: “I want to acknowledge the impact that this incident has had on Reece Richards. He was an innocent bystander and this would have been a frightening experience.
“Mr Richards’ complaint detailed his understandable belief that he was detained and arrested because he was black, although the suspects were white.
“We found that officers were responding to a fast-moving incident and – given the only description of the suspects was that one was wearing dark clothing and their location – it was reasonable that the officer who saw Mr Richards and detained him thought he was a suspect.
“The evidence indicated that the officers’ use of force was reasonable in the circumstances they encountered and perceived and Mr Richards was de-arrested as soon officers confirmed he was not involved.”
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The IOPC said Mr Richards, whose mother had arrived on the scene, was de-arrested 14 minutes after he was stopped and provided with aftercare.
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The Met’s Commander Owain Richards said: “We are pleased the IOPC was able to determine the officers acted in good faith and appropriately.
“This was a fast-moving incident during which they were trying to detain three men who had fled from police during a pursuit. Their use of force was reasonable in the circumstances.
“Mr Richards was swiftly de-arrested as soon as officers confirmed he was not a suspect, but we absolutely acknowledge how distressing it must have been to be caught up in such an incident.
“We would be happy to meet him to discuss what happened should he wish to do so.”
Sky News has contacted Mr Richards’s representatives for comment.
