Diplomatic Protection Group officer wins £37,000 award from force after she was discriminated against on race and sex grounds.
Date – 2nd September 2014
By – Ian Weinfass – Police Oracle
Employment tribunal judges have told the Met to conduct an independent review of its Fairness at Work procedures.
The recommendation comes in its remedy judgement in the case of PC Carol Howard, who the Central London Employment Tribunal had previously found in favour of.
She has now been awarded more than £37,000 due to the ruling that she was discriminated against because she is black and female.
As well as the Fairness at Work procedure itself being looked at, it has been suggested that all complaints of discrimination since January 2009 should also be examined by an external, independent reviewer within three months.
Ms Howard’s solicitor Kiran Daurka, senior employment lawyer at Slater & Gordon, said: “We are delighted with the tribunal’s recognition that PC Carol Howard experienced an extremely distressing and humiliating time throughout more than a year of discrimination against her.
“The fact that the Metropolitan Police did not issue a public apology following the Tribunal’s decision only exacerbated the hurt and distress felt by our client. This was reflected in the award for aggravated damages and a top award for injury to feelings.”
“We now sincerely hope that the Tribunal’s recommendations are implemented as soon as possible, as set out in the Tribunal’s judgement. In particular, we welcome recommendations that there be an independent review of previous discrimination complaints brought by its own officers against the Met and also an independent inquiry into how the Met looks into future discrimination allegations.”
No celebration
PC Carol Howard said: “This is not a day for celebration. I have been put through a two-year ordeal in which I have been bullied, harassed and victimised simply because of my gender and race. “No amount of compensation will ever make up for the hurt and upset that I have been caused.
“I did not willingly seek this employment tribunal but had no other option to pursue it after various attempts to resolve the situation internally with the police proved fruitless.
“In that regard, I am pleased that the tribunal has recommended that the Metropolitan Police’s internal complaints system is fully and independently reviewed.
“I worked extremely hard to become a firearms officer in the Diplomatic Protection Group, was proud of my job and always gave 100 per cent.
“It saddens me that I found myself in this position through no fault of my own but I do hope that lessons can be learned from my case which will allow more officers, suffering similar discriminatory treatment, to come forward.”
PC Howard was supported in her action by the Metropolitan Police Federation.
The force has not commented on the ruling since the remedy judgement. Following the finding in favour of PC Howard in July it said it was “disappointed” by the decision.