Alleged use of racially discriminatory language - Greater Manchester Police, February 2018

While officers from Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Major Investigation Team were reviewing the body-worn footage of police officers who had attended the scene of a serious incident a few months previously, they identified officers making comments which they considered to be inappropriate. This was raised with GMP Professional Standards Bureau, who referred the matter to us in February 2018.

During the investigation, our investigators interviewed the two police officers concerned under gross misconduct caution for allegations that they made comments which could be considered racially discriminatory and therefore breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour. The officers made no comments during the interview, but provided written statements.

Our investigators also reviewed the relevant police body-worn footage and submitted it to two independent audio experts for enhancement, and to provide transcripts. There were some discrepancies in the transcripts, particularly in the use of an offensive and racially discriminatory term, which the officer denied using.

Based on the evidence available, we were of the opinion that one of the officers may have a case to answer for gross misconduct for breaching the Standard of Professional Behaviour and Code of Ethics in the area of conduct when they used discriminatory language, and had possibly undermined public confidence in policing. We were also of the view that the other officer may have a case to answer for misconduct for using language that could be considered discriminatory, and for not challenging their colleague for using offensive/racially discriminatory language. We considered that this did not justify formal misconduct proceedings, but should be dealt with via management action.

We completed our investigation in August 2018.

After reviewing our report, GMP agreed that one officer would attend a gross misconduct hearing, and that the other officer would receive management action.

At the hearing, which took place in summer 2019, the independent panel found gross misconduct to be proven. The officer received a final written warning.