Nine now suspended in Scotland Yard racism investigation
A total of eight officers and a civilian member of staff are suspended by the Metropolitan Police amid claims of racism against the force.
The latest allegations include the bullying of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) by a number of police officers and staff over an 18-month period in Wandsworth.
There are also allegations of an assault involving five officers from the Territorial Support Group against several youngsters in Hyde Park last year and racist language by a Pc working in Westminster and by another Pc in Islington.
Meanwhile in a separate development the Police Service of Northern Ireland has suspended four officers over alleged racist and sectarian text messages.
On Thursday, Scotland Yard confirmed that 10 cases were being sent to the Indepdendent Police Complaints Commission and reveled that three officers including an acting sergeant had been suspended following accusations of racism.
The news comes at a difficult time for the London force. In March, a policeman was suspended after allegedly calling a man a “n*****” during the London riots. The officer, who sources named as Pc Alex MacFarlane of the Metropolitan Police, was apparently recorded by the suspect on his mobile phone as he was taken into custody.
The Guardian reported the officer told the 21-year-old black man: “The problem with you is you will always be a n*****, yeah? That’s your problem, yeah.”
The cases so far
Case 1: Allegation a Pc racially abused a prisoner on 11 Aug in Newham. The officer has been suspended. Also two Pcs assaulted the prisoner on 11 Aug in Newham the officers are not suspended or restricted in relation to this matter but one of the officers is restricted on an unrelated matter.
Case 2: Allegation that Pc assaulted a prisoner on 11 Aug in Newham the officer has been placed on restricted duty (this is officer the involved in above incident)
Case 3: Allegation that a acting sergeant and two Pcs working in Newham borough used racist language between Jan and March 2012. All three officers are suspended.
Case 4: Allegation that a Pc working in Central Communication Command mishandled calls (racial element) in 2010. The officer is on restricted duties. This is a re-referral as this matter had previously been referred to the IPCC.
Case 5: Allegation that a Pc and a member of police staff in Islington used racist language, reported on the 26 March, both are suspended.
Case 6: Officer was convicted at court on 23 March of racially aggravated public order offences that were investigated by British Transport Police. This is a mandatory referral to the IPCC. The officer is suspended.
Case 7: Allegation of bullying in Wandsworth borough by a number of police officers and staff against PCSOs over an 18 month period. Two officers are presently suspended. This is a re-referral.
Case 8: Allegation from a member of the public of a racist assault involving five officers from the Territorial Support Group against several juveniles in Hyde park in 2011. All five officers remain on full duties at this time. This is a re-referral.
Case 9: Allegation from a member of the public that he was racially abused by an unidentified police officer whilst in Camden borough on 6 January 2012. This is a re-referral as this matter had previously been referred to the IPCC.
Case 10: Allegation that a Pc working in Westminster borough used racist language between May 2010 and August 2011. The officer is presently restricted.