Ex-Chief Inspector says WMP failed to act on Racism Claims

A former chief inspector accused West Midlands Police (WMP) of repeatedly failing to act on allegations of racism.

Khizra Bano, who joined the force in 2001 and was named British Policewoman of the Year in 2011, said:

“The racism, sexism and homophobia of police officers is a risk to public safety.”

Ms Bano said the claims were made over a three-year period in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

Floyd’s death sparked global protests, with many marching as part of the Black Lives Matter movement. Tensions were high, particularly concerning racism in policing.

Ms Bano organised open forums where police colleagues were invited to talk about race and other forms of discrimination.

On West Midlands Police’s website, it said the force fully supports the National Police Race action plan, adding that it has been doing work in the areas covered in the plan which “will strengthen our existing commitment to become more proactive as an anti-racist organisation”.

Ms Bano feared that if people were being treated like this at work, how were the public being treated outside the organisation “where the balance of power is skewed”.

She told ITV News: “And this is an officer in uniform going out to deal with issues with the public.

“And because no action has been taken to address it, it is an unmitigated risk. Now, in any other area of policing, if a risk to public safety is identified, the police take action.”

She recalled some of the testimonies she allegedly heard.

Ms Bano continued: “I remember a colleague saying that she’d been asked to jump on the table and give her white peers a tribal dance.

“I remember a colleague saying there were showers that only the police had access to and those showers had the P word and N word emblazoned across them in graffiti.”

According to Ms Bano, the testimonies were shared each month with WMP’s Diversity and Inclusion Board.

Other testimonies shared with Ms Bano included:

• After a terrorist incident, a Muslim colleague was asked, “So your mates have been at it again?”
• Another colleague having her Afro patted by a supervisor, saying: “I haven’t touched black hair before – this is interesting.”

Ms Bano is now taking WMP to an employment tribunal over detriment and disability discrimination claims.

Responding to the allegations, WMP 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 (Bano) has used sensational language.

“Her claims of detriment and disability discrimination are being responded to.”