Firearms officer wins racial discrimination case

An employment tribunal found 44-year-old PC Nadeem Saddique was racially victimised and discriminated against in his efforts to remain on the force’s firearms squad.

Its ruling stated the officer had complained about some fellow officers describing him as a “black c**t” and commenting “he’s just a Paki…a Paki shouldn’t be allowed in the unit.”

He told the tribunal a firearms colleague had displayed an English Defence League sticker on the holster of his weapon but that nothing was done.

The tribunal noted the badge, which a superior threw away, made reference to Muslims and a crusade.

It found there was culture of bullying and discrimination in the firearms department and that senior officers turned a blind eye for fear racism would reflect very badly on a force which policed the most ethnically diverse area in the North East of England.

PC Saddique had been a VIP officer, who had guarded among others Tony Blair, when Prime Minister, and members of the Royal family.

In a statement his wife Kim said on her husband’s behalf that he had experienced difficulties for 10 years and that senior officers including the current chief constable Jacqui Cheer had failed to resolve the situation.

Ms Cheer responded to the tribunal’s ruling saying “I take these findings extremely seriously and all of the issues within the tribunal’s judgment will be quickly and carefully considered.”

The National Black Police Association Vice President Franstine Jones said “if Cleveland Police want to be representative of the public they serve then it needs to show that officers who’ve been implicated should be held to account, including the chief constable. They should face disciplinary proceedings.”

Mr Saddique’s case is one of six cases of racial discrimination being brought by officers against the force.