Hudgell Solicitors are providing legal advice in a case which has resulted in a police officer being removed from front line duties after being filmed making ‘racial comments’ during a property search and telling a man ‘you would be the first one I’d shoot if I had a gun’.
Jack Chambers, 24, filmed officers on his smartphone after they entered his home in Coventry and questioned him as to why he did not open the door sooner.
During the conversation, an officer can be heard to say ‘Are you going to go Black Lives Matter on us are you?’
The comment is followed by laughing before an officer says, ‘You would be the first one I’d shoot if I had a gun, definitely.’
Now, Mr Chambers, who shared the video on his Facebook page leading to national media coverage, has contacted Hudgell Solicitors for advice with regards to making a possible civil claim against West Midlands Police.
Vicky Richardson, of Hudgell Solicitors, said: “Mr Chambers has contacted us for advice with regards to potentially making a legal claim as a result of the actions of officers from the force.
“He has instructed us saying he was made to feel intimidated by comments made to him with regards to race, and the use of firearms.
“We welcome the fact that a force spokesman has admitted that racial comments were made, and that the assistant chief constable has admitted that these comments, which were filmed by Mr Chambers, were not right.
“We feel it is now only right that the actions of the particular officer will now be subject to a review by the force’s Professional Standards Department and the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
“Police officers have a duty to treat all with the same respect and follow strict guidelines and procedures.
“We will await the findings of the subsequent investigations with regard to this case, and consider possible legal actions with regards to potential breaches of professional standards and the Equalities Act.”