Black Man Agrees to Five-Figure Settlement for Wrongful Arrest

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Although the settlement has been agreed upon, De La Kruz says after two years Scotland Yard hasn’t given him a formal apology for the incident. According to the Morning Star he said, “I felt so belittled to be stopped, searched and handcuffed in my garden for something I had nothing to do with.”

De La Kruz added, “It has been more than two years since the incident and I still haven’t received an apology from the police, but unfortunately that’s exactly what I expected.”

The Met alleged the officers thought they had the right to stop De La Kruz under England’s Police and Criminal Evidence Act of 1984.

However, the his attorneys made the argument, highlighting the law prohibits the exercise of searches like that in a private home. De La Kruz said he had to confront the police through the courts to guarantee accountability.

De La Kruz said in a statement:

“I sought to hold the police to account because I want others, and particularly the younger generation of Black queens and kings, to know that the misuse of stop and search and handcuffs is not okay and that it can be challenged.”

“I sincerely hope lessons that lessons will be learnt from my case to ensure that officers act within their powers,” he said. “And understand the impact incidents like this can have on confidence in policing.”