Seven police officers in Greater Manchester investigated allegations of racism

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Seven police officers from Greater Manchester Police are being investigated over allegations of racial discrimination.

Five officers were suspended and two others were placed on restricted duties, the police force said, after allegations of discriminatory behavior were made on July 3.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog said it was investigating officers “alleged to have engaged in conversations of a discriminatory nature”.

A source told the Manchester Evening News that the allegations related to “extreme racism, calling out horrible people and bragging about it in the station”, the newspaper reported that experienced officers both on and off duty were involved.

The inquiry comes a day after a scathing review by former victims’ commissioner Dame Vera Baird found women and girls were treated like meat and subjected to unwarranted searches in the custody of Greater Manchester Police.

“We have suspended five officers and placed two officers on restricted duties in the Bury borough following a report of racial discrimination,” the force said in a statement.

“GMP has zero tolerance for discriminatory behavior from any of our officers and staff.

“We are deeply concerned by the allegations and will not hesitate to take the necessary action. IOPC independently investigating following our referral.”

In a statement reported by Evening newsThe IOPC said: “We will investigate allegations that these officers openly engaged in conversations and either used, or did not challenge, offensive language.

“We launched an independent investigation on Thursday 4 July following a referral of behavior from the force the day before. We are reviewing the available material and will update the officers on their status in our investigation.”

IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “Officers must maintain exemplary standards of conduct and professionalism.

“This type of behavior has the potential to undermine public confidence in the police, in addition to the impact it has on officers acting with integrity.

“We will carry out a thorough investigation to establish the evidence and ensure that any discriminatory behavior is dealt with appropriately. This does not necessarily mean that conduct proceedings or criminal charges will follow, and the status of all officers will remain under review throughout the investigation.”