WIREDGOV

The IPCC has started an investigation after a man complained that he had been stopped in his vehicle and searched by police in Staffordshire 17 times last year (2016) for no legitimate reason.

A voluntary referral was made to the IPCC by Staffordshire Police after Adeel Rehman alleged that the stop and searches amounted to harassment and racial discrimination. He also complained that on one occasion officers used excessive force against him when he was stopped while driving.

IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell said: “We have been told that nothing was found and no action was taken by police following the multiple stop and searches. Our investigation will look at all the allegations including the number of stop and searches and whether they were reasonable, justified and in line with legislation, policies and procedures.

“It is important for public confidence in policing and the complaints system that an independent investigation is undertaken. Our inquiries are obviously at a very early stage and we will be carrying out a thorough investigation of all the circumstances.”