Former high-ranking cop accuses West Midlands Police of failing to act on racist allegations
Ex-Chief Inspector Khizra Bano, who joined West Midlands Police back in 2001, has accused the force of repeatedly failing to act on allegations of racism.
Ms Bano, from Perry Barr, Birmingham, rose through the ranks - even being named British Policewoman of the Year in 2011.
However, she warns "the racism, sexism and homophobia of police officers is a risk to public safety."
Speaking to ITV news, the cop that claims were made over a three-year period in the wake of the death of George Floyd. Floyd, a black man from Minneapolis, Minnesota, died in May 2020 after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for over nine minutes.
His death, captured on video, sparked global 'Black Lives Matter' protests against police brutality and systemic racism. It led to calls for justice, police reforms, and racial equality.
Bano said she organised a series of open forums, dubbed Brave Spaces, where her colleagues could discuss racism and other forms of discrimination they'd experienced in the work place.
She recalls one colleague being asked to "jump on the table and give her white peers a tribal dance", while others saw P and N slurs written across the police officer's showers.
A muslim police officer recalled being asked if her "mates have been at it again?” following a terrorism incident. A black colleague also claims a supervisor would stroke their hair because they've "never touched black hair before."
According to West Midlands Police website, it said the force fully supports the National Police Race action plan which "will strengthen our existing commitment to become more proactive as an anti-racist organisation".
However, Khizra told ITV News that she had concerns about how the public were being treated if her colleagues were facing discrimination in the work place. She said that "the balance of power is skewed" and claims "no action has been taken to address it".
She continued: "It is an unmitigated risk. Now, in any other area of policing, if a risk to public safety is identified, the police take action."
Ms Bano is now taking the force to employment tribunal over claims of detriment and disability discrimination.
In response to Ms Bano's allegations, West Midlands Police said the force is getting better at disciplining and dismissing officers who engage in discriminatory behaviour.
Acting Deputy Chief Constable Claire Bell said: “There is no place for discriminatory attitudes in policing. West Midlands Police (WMP) has made significant progress over the last few years in rooting out improper behaviour.
“Officers are more confident and better supported to make internal reports, and we are getting better at disciplining and dismissing officers who engage in discriminatory behaviour, or otherwise breach our high professional standards.
“However, WMP will resolutely defend any unfair allegations of discrimination made against it. Ahead of her Employment Tribunal claim, Ms Dhindsa has used sensational language.
"Her claims for sex and race discrimination have been dismissed by the Tribunal and withdrawn. Her other claims of detriment and disability discrimination are being responded to.”
