A former Metropolitan Police officer has publicly defended herself against allegations of racism and misconduct following the tragic death of a Black man in police custody.
Samantha Bux, who served as a police constable, broke her silence after a disciplinary panel found her guilty of gross misconduct over the 2018 incident that led to the death of 31-year-old Kevin Clarke in Catford, southeast London.
'I am not a racist murderer'
In an emotional statement, Ms Bux declared: "I am not a racist, I am not a murderer and I am not a liar." The former officer expressed her frustration at being unable to speak publicly about the case for nearly six years while legal proceedings were ongoing.
"I have sat back for nearly six years and listened to people say things about me that are not true," she told Sky News. "I have been called a racist and a murderer. I am not a racist, I am not a murderer and I am not a liar."
The Catford incident
The disciplinary hearing heard how Mr Clarke, who was experiencing a mental health crisis, told officers "I'm going to die" multiple times while being restrained. Despite his pleas, the former officer failed to ensure he received adequate medical attention.
A misconduct panel concluded that Ms Bux breached professional standards of honesty, integrity, and duties and responsibilities. The panel found she provided misleading accounts about checking Mr Clarke's welfare and failed to ensure he received prompt medical care.
Family's pursuit of justice
Mr Clarke's mother, Wendy Clarke, described her son as "a kind, gentle giant" and expressed relief that the truth had finally emerged after years of fighting for accountability.
"It's been a long six years," Mrs Clarke stated. "We've had to fight every step of the way to get to this point. Kevin was a vulnerable person who needed help, and he was failed by those who were supposed to protect him."
Systemic concerns raised
The case has reignited concerns about police treatment of Black men and those experiencing mental health crises. Statistics show disproportionate outcomes for Black individuals in police custody, prompting calls for systemic reform within the Metropolitan Police.
Ms Bux acknowledged the tragedy of Mr Clarke's death but maintained she acted appropriately given the circumstances, stating she had "done the best I could in a very difficult situation."
The former officer's public statement marks a rare instance of an accused officer speaking out following misconduct proceedings, highlighting the intense personal and professional consequences faced by officers involved in high-profile custody deaths.
