West Midlands Police force apologises after man ‘harassed’ by officer in viral video

The force said the officer’s actions were “unacceptable”
PA
Leah Sinclair29 January 2021

West Midlands Police has apologised to a man who was detained in a police car by an officer while on his way to work.

Nino Romano, 21, recorded a video of his interaction with the officer outside Dorridge train station in Solihull, where he was stopped and asked what he was doing and where he lives.

In the footage, which has been viewed more than 1.7 million times on Twitter, Mr Romano is heard saying that he lives in the area and is on his way to work. 

When the officer asks for his name he replies “don’t worry about that,” to which the officer says: “What do you mean don’t worry about that? We’re here to enforce legislation.”

The officer can be heard saying he has "reasonable suspicion" Mr Romano was “telling lies”. Later he detains Mr Romano and puts him in the police car, as the young man accuses the officer of harassment and suggests that he has been targeted due to his clothing.

Mr Romano said when put into the police car he eventually gave his name and was released without being formally arrested.

The actions of the officer have been widely criticised and West Midlands Police have said his behaviour was "unacceptable" and there was no suspicion of any offence.

The force said it had reviewed both the footage and police camera video and concluded that "conduct fell far below what we would expect".

"[Mr Romano] explained he was heading to work - that's clearly a justifiable reason to be out and about and there was no suspicion he had committed any offences," they said.

“His manner was not acceptable, not the face of @wmpolice, and we will deal with the situation. The officer has accepted his behaviour was not up to our high standards and we will address this as part of an action plan for his learning and development.”

Mr Romano told the BBC that the incident left him "annoyed", and accused the officer of being "power-hungry".

He said: "I've just got used to it, that's how the police act to the younger generation.

"I think they targeted me because of the clothes I was wearing - a tracksuit and a coat.

"I'm going to carry on going to work, but the fact they feel entitled to stop people [is] a bit degrading; it's not nice at all.

"There were so many people around, why pick me?"

The Government’s website says police might stop members of the public to ask their name, what they doing in the area and where they are going, but people do not have to stop or answer any questions.

The guidance states that not giving identifying details cannot be used as a reason to search or arrest if there is no other reason to suspect a person.

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