An allegation of racism against a Metropolitan Police officer has been referred to the force’s internal investigation directorate.
The force has confirmed the allegations, relating to an incident in Redbridge, are being probed by the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS), the body responsible for investigating police misconduct.
Twitter user @PsykoUK claimed he had been “unlawfully detained, racially abused and physically assaulted” by police following an argument with a Transport for London (TfL) ticket inspector on a bus in Redbridge.
In a series of tweets, @PsykoUK said he saw a ticket officer “threatening” three 11-year-old girls with jail because they didn’t have Oyster cards. He said when he asked the man for his badge number, the TfL employee called police.
@PsykoUK later tweeted: “I also have a video of a metropolitan police officer @metpoliceuk saying people like me (?) have the mental capability of an animal.” And then added: “The @metpoliceuk who then hid his badge number compared my people (?) to planet of the apes and said I would be arrested...”
On Friday, Waterfords Solicitors lodged a complaint with police and TfL on his behalf.
TfL is also investigating.
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