Eight police officers in Greater Manchester have been suspended due to allegations of racial discrimination. The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) announced this suspension following a report that raised concerns about the behavior of these officers. In addition, one officer has been placed on restricted duties, and the GMP has referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
It is important to note that these suspensions are not related to a previous incident at Manchester Airport where another officer was suspended after a video surfaced online showing a man being kicked and stamped on the head.
Out of the eight suspended officers, seven are from the Bury district, while one is from Rochdale but was working in Bury at the time of the alleged incidents. To ensure that operational duties are covered and minimize disruption within the district, the GMP has temporarily relocated officers to Bury.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen, who heads GMP’s professional standards directorate, expressed deep concern over the reports and assured the community of Bury, the public, and the GMP workforce that a thorough investigation is underway.
This recent suspension follows a previous incident where five officers were suspended and two were placed on restricted duties, all from the Bury district. The IOPC was also involved in that case and began investigating the allegations of offensive language and conversations among the officers.
Catherine Bates, the IOPC regional director, emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards of conduct and professionalism among police officers. Any behavior that undermines public confidence and trust in policing needs to be addressed appropriately. The IOPC is committed to conducting a thorough investigation to determine the facts and ensure that any discriminatory behavior is addressed accordingly.
The IOPC was also involved in a second matter that was referred to them on July 18. Following their instructions, the GMP began investigating this case on July 23. It is crucial to review the status of all officers involved throughout the investigation process to ensure accountability and transparency.
The actions taken by the GMP and the involvement of the IOPC demonstrate a commitment to addressing allegations of racial discrimination and maintaining the integrity of the police force. It is essential for law enforcement agencies to uphold the highest standards of conduct and professionalism to earn and maintain the trust of the community they serve.
