Racial discrimination complaints

Freedom of Information Act Request No: 2022-230

Version Date: 25/03/2022

 

The Professional Standards Department have provided the following information:

In the context of ‘complaints’ within PSD, officers and staff cannot make a complaint against another member of the workforce as police complaints can only be made by members of the public. However in order to be transparent we have run this query looking at how many allegations of misconduct have been recorded where there has been an allegation of racism towards another member of the workforce.

Where the request said the last 5 years we have gone for the last 5 full calendar years so 01/01/2016 – 31/12/2021.

 

1) How many complaints have been received in the past five years in relation to alleged racial discrimination by officers/staff on other officers/staff?

In the last 5 years there have been two allegations of racism by officers/staff towards other officers/staff within Dorset Police: 

 

2) Have any been upheld? If so, how many? 

In both cases they were found to have a case to answer 

 

3) Can you please provide details about each upheld complaint (ie the nature of complaint, date committed, number of officers involved etc)? 

2021 – Member of staff made comments towards a colleague perceived to be racist.

2021 – Officer made a racist joke and offensive jokes in the workplace. 

 

4) In each case where a complaint was upheld, what action was taken against individuals concerned? 

Written warning.

Learning from reflection. 

 

5) How many cases of racial discrimination have gone to an employment tribunal within the past 5 years?

Legal Services have confirmed that in the past 5 years, Dorset Police have received no employment tribunal claims which raise allegations of racial discrimination.