Greater Manchester Police have suspended 13 officers from the same district over racism claims and refers itself to watchdog as three more are placed on restricted duties.
The force suspended five officers and placed two on restricted duties on July 17 and have today suspended a further eight and placed another on restricted duties.
They have temporarily moved replacement officers to Bury to cover for the 13 they have lost.
Greater Manchester Police has had to make two mandatory referrals of itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for both cases to be investigated.
The IOPC is looking at the first report and has reviewed and referred the second incident back to Greater Manchester Police to investigate.
Greater Manchester Police have suspended 13 officers from the same district over racism claims and refers itself to watchdog as three more are placed on restricted duties
The watchdog confirmed the officers were alleged to have engaged openly in ‘conversations of a discriminatory nature’.
The suspensions are not related the incident at Manchester Airport which saw a GMP officer suspended after a video circulated online of a man allegedly being kicked and stamped on the head.
Head of GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen said: ‘The reports we have received are deeply concerning and I hope to reassure the community of Bury, the wider public, and the GMP workforce that a full and thorough investigation is being conducted into these matters.’
In relation to the first referral over the reports from July 17, the watchdog said: ‘The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has begun an investigation following a referral regarding the conduct of Greater Manchester Police officers who are alleged to have engaged in conversations of a discriminatory nature.
‘We are investigating allegations that these officers openly engaged in conversations and either used, or failed to challenge, offensive language.
‘We began an independent investigation on Thursday 4 July following a conduct referral from the force the day before.’
The force suspended five officers and placed two on restricted duties on July 17 and have today suspended a further eight and placed another on restricted duties (stock image)
IOPC regional director Catherine Bates said: ‘Officers are expected to maintain exemplary standards of conduct and professionalism. This type of behaviour has the potential to undermine the public’s confidence and trust in policing, in addition to the impact it has on officers who conduct themselves with integrity.
‘We will conduct a thorough investigation to establish the evidence and ensure any discriminatory behaviour is dealt with appropriately. This does not necessarily mean conduct proceedings or criminal charges will follow and the status of all officers will remain under review throughout the investigation.’
In relation to today’s referral, the IOPC said: ‘We received a mandatory conduct referral from Greater Manchester Police on 18 July relating to allegations of discriminatory behaviour.
‘We determined an investigation was required and instructed GMP to carry this out.’