Black bank manager settles ‘racial profiling’ claim against Metropolitan Police

Dale Semper and two family members have settled their civil action against the Metropolitan Police relating to a police investigation which took place between 2017 and 2019, involving searches of their properties and various other steps, and which led to no further action being taken. 

The Metropolitan Police have as part of the settlement issued a statement apologising that some elements of the investigation "were not handled as well as they could have been” and have reiterated their apology for comments which were made by officers during the investigation. 

The police have also agreed to reinvestigate parts of Mr Semper and his family’s complaints which were initially dismissed after a delay of over five years.

Mr Semper made the following statement:

“Seven years after the unjustified search of my and my families’ homes, and the intrusive steps taken afterwards, the Metropolitan Police has finally apologised for its officers’ conduct and settled my and my families’ civil claims against them. We remain convinced that the actions taken against me were motivated by racism, both conscious and unconscious. 

This is a bitter-sweet moment, as although I feel some justice has been done, my and my family’s lives have been torn apart by the unjustified actions of the police, and the extreme delays in responding to our complaints, which, disgracefully, remain ongoing seven years after the events. I hope that my case can be an example to the Met and will assist in Sir Mark Rowley’s stated intention to make the Met “truly anti-racist”. We would now welcome an invitation by Sir Mark to discuss with him how we were treated and how the Met can learn from our experiences.” 

Adam Wagner acted for Dale Semper and his family, instructed by Natasha Shim of Holborn Adams.